The extreme heatwaves we have faced this summer are the latest and perhaps some of the starkest illustrations of climate change right here in New Hampshire. Extreme heat poses a threat to people across our state, burdening communities and disproportionately impacting low-wealth and communities of color.
With record-breaking daily temperatures being set across New England and a prolonged period of drought here in our state, this summer’s heatwaves are a clear danger to New Hampshire, but they are not entirely new. Between 2010 and 2020, our state experienced five extreme weather events spurred by climate change, costing up to $500 million in damages. Increased temperatures are also a major threat to our state’s outdoor industries and tourism economy.
The threat of climate-fueled extreme weather makes it clear that we must cut the carbon pollution that is driving climate change. This summer, nearly one in three Americans lived in a county that experienced an extreme weather event, including fires, hurricanes, floods, and heatwaves. To address the scale of the climate crisis and meet this moment for our nation, Congress needs to pass a budget that makes bold climate investments and accelerates our transition to clean energy. President Joe Biden’s recently proposed Build Back Better Budget (BBBB) would make these exact kinds of climate investments and New Hampshire’s leaders in Congress must remain resolute and ensure strong climate action is included in any final budget.
Bold investments in clean energy are good for New Hampshire’s economy and they will provide unlimited opportunities to create sustainable, family-supporting jobs for our state. Manufacturing accounts for more than 11.6% of total output in New Hampshire, employing 70,000 workers, and as of 2019, there were almost 17,000 Granite Staters working in clean energy. The transition to clean energy will create more jobs and our leaders must seize this moment to invest in our state’s future.
In addition to spurring our economy, bold climate investments will protect public health and provide Granite Staters with the clean air they deserve. Pollution from dirty fossils fuels has been linked to increased respiratory diseases like asthma, which almost 20,000 children and over 120,000 adults across New Hampshire suffer from. Transitioning to clean energy will benefit everyone in our state, leading to clean, breathable air for all.
We know that fighting climate change and pollution are priorities for New Hampshire residents. Now, we need Washington’s support to invest in clean energy and cut carbon pollution. Recent surveys show that voters in New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district, which includes my own community of Laconia, want these investments.
68% support addressing climate change by shifting to greater use of clean energy, while 67% were in favor of investments in clean solar and solar power by extending tax credits. 64% were also supportive of transitioning to clean energy to cut air pollution in New Hampshire that results from fossil fuel power plants in other states.
Last month, our own Rep. Chris Pappas took the important first step of delivering on climate action for his constituents by voting to advance the BBBB in the U.S. House. As Congress continues to debate the budget in the coming weeks, he must keep fighting for bold climate investments and our state’s U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, must also do the same.
New Hampshire has long been a steward of our environment and our members of Congress must continue to support clean energy and climate investments to protect our communities. Not only are Granite Staters supportive of doing so, but the lives and livelihoods of countless are depending on much-needed and ambitious climate action.
(Andrew Hosmer is the mayor of Laconia. He served previously in the NH State Senate.)
My Turns are opinion-based essays submitted by Monitor readers and members of the community. The views expressed in My Turns are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Concord Monitor and its staff.