The US just got its latest environmental report card, and it’s not good. According to the 2022 Environmental Performance Index, we are not on track to meet our 2050 goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions established by the 2021 Glasgow Climate Pact.
The EPI, which ranks 180 countries on 40 performance indicators covering climate change, environmental public health, and ecosystem vitality, shows us falling behind France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, and well behind world-leaders Britain, Denmark and Finland in sustainable development. Interestingly, the EPI scores, on which our country ranked 43rd among nations, and 20th out of 22 wealthy democracies, have strong correlation with scores on happiness, government effectiveness, rule of law, regulatory quality, and GDP per capita.
For our part, we in New Hampshire can do a much better job. Most of our excess carbon and hence greenhouse gas production emits from our transportation and energy production. We must get going on installing charging stations for the electric cars in the pipeline from US car manufacturers. We must take advantage of the opportunity to expand passenger rail service from Boston along the I-93 corridor through Manchester to Concord. And we must start building offshore wind farms in the Gulf of Maine.
As a family doctor, I care about families, I care about children, and I care about their future. For the sake of our children and their children, it’s time to get on board.
Paul Friedrichs
Exeter