OPINION: Local and state initiatives are how to address climate change

Linda Lancaster, of Plymouth, is chair of South Shore and Cape Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Jan Kubiac, of Hyannis, is a member of the Climate Lobby.

Energy efficiency is often overlooked, but it is definitely the “low-hanging fruit” in the fight against climate change and economic inequality. Sabrina Davis and Cindy Luppi in “Creating Equal Access to Energy Efficiency Crucial for Cities like Fall River” (The Herald News, Sept. 16) are spot on to call upon the community and the governor to pick this overlooked “low-hanging fruit.”

The Department of Public Utilities made a big mistake in turning down a program unanimously supported by the Energy Efficiency Council to increase renters’ access to energy efficiency services. Financial incentives would encourage utilities to provide energy-conservation services to renters and lower energy bills in climate justice communities throughout the state. The result would be a reduction in harmful air pollution and improvements in overall health. The state should re-evaluate this decision and reinstate this program.

According to a new climate-solutions simulator from MIT and Climate Interactive, the two most effective actions to reduce carbon emissions are increasing energy efficiency and charging fossil fuel industries for their polluting products. A fee on fossil fuels will result in a reduction in carbon emissions, methane and coal use.

Bills have been introduced in the Massachusetts StateHouse and in Congress (the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act HR 763). Each bill is slightly different, but they all return an equal share of all (or most) of the fees collected to all households. In HR 763, the greatest benefit would go to households with the least overall consumption or smallest carbon footprint. All income levels would be incentivized to be energy efficient. The 2020 Household Impact Study demonstrates the distribution of dividends acquired from HR 763.

Davis and Luppi are promoting real action to address climate change. Support their local initiatives and pass the state and federal legislation that solidifies the effort to reduce the carbon emissions that plague us.

Linda Lancaster, of Plymouth, is chair of South Shore and Cape Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Jan Kubiac, of Hyannis, is a member of the Climate Lobby.