As the Earth continues to heat up, bringing more severe storms along with wetter and warmer seasons, we are working on adopting policies here in Connecticut to help our state do its small part in facing the growing threat of undeniable climate change.

This legislative session, our commitment to protecting the environment and helping to combat climate change is encompassed in "An Act Concerning the Implementation of Certain Climate Change Measures (HB 5004)."

This bill was the subject of an Environment Committee public hearing earlier this month and subsequently passed out of the Environment Committee on a 23-11 vote last week. It now heads to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

We refer to our legislation as the 2024 Connecticut Climate Protection Act, and it is a priority for the House Democratic Caucus.

Specifically, the bill seeks to help respond to the climate crisis by:

1. Updating the state's Global Warming Solutions Act to make Connecticut's greenhouse gas emissions targets more in line with other states in the region;
2. Creating incentives for businesses that engage in clean economy sectors or employ environmentally sustainable practices;
3. Developing plans for transitioning to a clean economy, including workforce training and long-term policy implementation;
4. Supporting nature-based solutions, such as preserving marshlands and forests.

We are focusing on long term sustainability, which is not only the right thing to do but also the economically competitive thing to do.

Climate Change is real, and though we need more proactive action at the federal level and around the world, even a state as small as Connecticut has a responsibility to help take on this ongoing challenge.