Health & Fitness
Joyce Co-Sponsors Climate Change Legislation
BOSTON – Senator Brian A. Joyce has agreed to co-sponsor legislation introduced by Senator Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton) that would require the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to comprehensively review the current and future effects of climate change on the Bay State and to work with municipalities and regional organizations to address potential problems.
“Climate change is scientific fact and we must prepare for its effects immediately,” said Joyce. “Our state is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and inclement weather and by being proactive instead of reactive we will be prepared for the changing nature of our planet.”
The legislation would create an advisory committee under the direction of the Secretaries of Energy and Environmental Affairs and Public Safety to develop a comprehensive adaption management action plan which would gather and assess data on climate change and the state’s preparedness in terms of emergency response, energy, transportation, communications, health systems, and more. The bill would also offer grants to municipalities and regional planning services for implementing their own preparations. These actions come on the heels of Governor Patrick announcing that $52 million would be made available to assist local municipalities to combat climate change.