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Climate change in Massachusetts

January 01, 1970

Climate change in Massachusetts affects both urban and rural environments, including forestry, fisheries, agriculture, and coastal development.[1][2][3] The Northeast is projected to warm faster than global average temperatures; by 2035, the Northeast is "projected to be more than 3.6°F (2°C) warmer on average than during the preindustrial era."[3]

Köppen climate types in Massachusetts.

Impacts of climate change edit

Sea level rise edit

 
Population density and elevation above sea level in Greater Boston, U.S. (2010)

The city of Boston has identified specific projects in East Boston, Charlestown, and South Boston that would raise small parcels of land and use temporary barriers in key locations to prevent flooding during storms, which due to climate change will be higher than present.[4] In 2016, Climate Ready Boston recommended studying the feasibility of a storm tidal barrier for Boston Harbor.[5] The resulting report from the University of Massachusetts Boston Sustainable Solutions Lab concluded that such a barrier would not be cost-effective compared to a larger number of smaller-scale on-shore projects.[6] A 2016 Executive Order established a climate change strategy for the Commonwealth.[7]

A 2018 noreaster caused flooding in downtown Boston, Quincy, and Scituate, raising more concerns about the impact of sea level rise.[8]

Ecosystems edit

 
Briarwood Fire near Rockport, 2022

Climate change will affect fishing and farming.[1] Marshlands on the coast of Massachusetts help mitigate storm surges, but development has reduced these crucial ecosystems.[9]

There has also been a reduction in traditional state products due to the increased heat and warming waters. Cranberry harvests and maple syrup have been negatively impacted by climate change.[10] [11]

Response edit

State laws and legislative action edit

Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law three global warming and energy-related bills that will promote advanced biofuels, support the growth of the clean energy technology industry, and cut the emissions of greenhouse gases within the state. The Clean Energy Biofuels Act, signed in late July, 2008, exempts cellulosic ethanol from the state's gasoline tax, but only if the ethanol achieves a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to gasoline. The act also requires all diesel motor fuels and all No. 2 fuel oil sold for heating to include at least 2% "substitute fuel" by July 2010, where substitute fuel is defined as a fuel derived from renewable non-food biomass that achieves at least a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The requirement for both motor diesel fuel and heating oil increases by a percentage point per year until 2013, after which it holds steady 5%. The act also allows the state to expand the requirement to other forms of fuel oil, and it requires the state to work to establish a low-carbon fuel standard under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

In early August 2008, Governor Patrick signed two additional bills: the Green Jobs Act and the Global Warming Solutions Act. The Green Jobs Act will support the growth of a clean energy technology industry within the state, backed by $68 million in funding over 5 years. The Global Warming Solutions Act[12][13] requires a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the state to 10%-25% below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Under the act, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will carry the burdens of determining the baseline level of emissions in 1990 and creating a plan to meet the future emissions limits, including the establishment of interim limits for 2030 and 2040.

 
Solar rooftop installation, Sudbury

In December 2019, Massachusetts joined consideration for a multi-state gasoline cap-and-trade program. The plan aims to reduce transportation-related tailpipe emissions, and would levy a tax on fuel companies based on carbon dioxide emissions. The most ambitious version of the plan is projected to reduce the area's tailpipe emissions by 25% between 2022 and 2032. The program is in the public comment phase, with individual states determining whether to participate. The program could begin as early as 2022.[14]

In late 2020, Massachusetts released a Decarbonization Roadmap that aims for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The plan calls for major investments in offshore wind and solar energy, heating and cooling upgrades to millions of buildings and would require all new automobiles sold to be zero emissions (electric or hydrogen powered) by 2035.[15][16]

Response by municipalities edit

In addition to state initiatives, several municipalities within Massachusetts have released their own climate action plans, including Boston.[17]

Collective buying of electricity edit

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston Medical Center, and the Post Office Square Redevelopment Corporation bundled their electricity purchasing power in 2016 to finance construction of a 6-megawatt solar farm in North Carolina. The City of Boston is planning a similar initiative with cities across the country.[18]

Electricity market legislative timeline edit

  • 1997 Restructuring Act - Opened the electricity market to competition and innovation, setting the stage to over 109,000 clean energy jobs in the state today.1997 Restructuring Act (Act 164). 1 July 1997.
  • 2008 Green Communities Act - Created the Green Communities Program, aimed at providing financial assistance for efficiency and conservation projects at the municipal level. To qualify, a municipality must agree to a streamlined permitting process for new renewable projects and meet other benchmarks.2008 Green Communities Act (Act 169). 1 July 2008.
  • 2016 Energy Diversity Act - Signed into law on August 8, 2016. Sets procurements for 1600 megawatts of offshore wind. These represent the largest purchase of clean energy in the Commonwealth's history.2016 Energy Diversity Act (Act 188). 1 July 2016.
  • Implementation of the 2016 Energy Diversity Act - On August 2, 2018, the electric utility companies signed contracts for an 800-megawatt offshore wind farm to be built by Vineyard Wind at a levelized price of 6.5 cents a kilowatt hour for 20 years. The offshore wind farm will result in 3,600 jobs in the region during the construction phase and has a 2021 in-service date. 2016 Energy Diversity Act (Act 188). 1 July 2016.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b EPA. "What climate change means for Massachusetts" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  2. ^ "Effects of Climate Change in Massachusetts". Mass Audubon. from the original on 2020-07-03. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  3. ^ a b Dupigny-Giroux, L.A.; E.L. Mecray; M.D. Lemcke-Stampone; G.A. Hodgkins; E.E. Lentz; K.E. Mills; E.D. Lane; R. Miller; D.Y. Hollinger; W.D. Solecki; G.A. Wellenius; P.E. Sheffield; A.B. MacDonald; C. Caldwell (2018). "Northeast". In Reidmiller, D.R.; C.W. Avery; D.R. Easterling; K.E. Kunkel; K.L.M. Lewis; T.K. Maycock; B.C. Stewart (eds.). Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II (Report). Washington, DC, USA: U.S. Global Change Research Program. pp. 669–742. doi:10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH18.
  4. ^ "Climate Ready Boston". from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  5. ^ "Editorial: Costly plans wrong way to solve coastal flooding". from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  6. ^ "UMass Boston Report: Boston Harbor Barrier Costs Would Outweigh Benefits". 2018-05-29. from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  7. ^ "Massachusetts Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Viewer". www.mass.gov. from the original on 2022-08-19. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  8. ^ "Photos: Scenes from the powerful nor'easter". from the original on 2018-05-07. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  9. ^ "Effects of Climate Change on Salt Marshes". from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  10. ^ Harrington, Samantha (2021-08-25). "Climate change is hurting cranberry harvests in Massachusetts". Yale Climate Connections. from the original on 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  11. ^ "Heat, sewer problems and less lobster: New report details climate change's impact in Boston". www.wbur.org. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  12. ^ "Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act (S. 2540 MA) | Adaptation Clearinghouse". www.adaptationclearinghouse.org. from the original on 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  13. ^ Massachusetts Session Laws. (August 7, 2008), An act establishing the Global Warming Solutions Act., vol. Chapter 298, from the original on November 10, 2022, retrieved February 15, 2023
  14. ^ Tabuchi, Hiroko (17 December 2019). "Eastern States Introduce a Plan to Cap Tailpipe Pollution". The New York Times. from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  15. ^ Martin, Naomi (December 30, 2020). "Mass. to require all new cars sold to be electric by 2035 as part of climate-change measures". The Boston Globe. from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  16. ^ "Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap". from the original on 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  17. ^ "Boston Climate Action". Boston.gov. 2019-01-23. from the original on 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  18. ^ "Power brokers: Boston to join other cities to collectively buy energy from renewable sources". from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-11.

Further reading edit

  • Dupigny-Giroux, L.A.; E.L. Mecray; M.D. Lemcke-Stampone; G.A. Hodgkins; E.E. Lentz; K.E. Mills; E.D. Lane; R. Miller; D.Y. Hollinger; W.D. Solecki; G.A. Wellenius; P.E. Sheffield; A.B. MacDonald; C. Caldwell (2018). "Northeast". In Reidmiller, D.R.; C.W. Avery; D.R. Easterling; K.E. Kunkel; K.L.M. Lewis; T.K. Maycock; B.C. Stewart (eds.). Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II (Report). Washington, DC, USA: U.S. Global Change Research Program. pp. 669–742. doi:10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH18.—this chapter of the National Climate Assessment covers Northeast states

External links edit

  • City of Boston sea level rise flood interactive map
  • How will global warming of 2°C affect Massachusetts?, University of Massachusetts
  • Nestor Ramos, At the Edge of a Warming World September 26, 2019 BostonGlobe.com

January 01, 1970
climate, change, massachusetts, affects, both, urban, rural, environments, including, forestry, fisheries, agriculture, coastal, development, northeast, projected, warm, faster, than, global, average, temperatures, 2035, northeast, projected, more, than, warme. Climate change in Massachusetts affects both urban and rural environments including forestry fisheries agriculture and coastal development 1 2 3 The Northeast is projected to warm faster than global average temperatures by 2035 the Northeast is projected to be more than 3 6 F 2 C warmer on average than during the preindustrial era 3 Koppen climate types in Massachusetts Contents 1 Impacts of climate change 1 1 Sea level rise 1 2 Ecosystems 2 Response 2 1 State laws and legislative action 2 2 Response by municipalities 2 3 Collective buying of electricity 2 4 Electricity market legislative timeline 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksImpacts of climate change editSea level rise edit nbsp Population density and elevation above sea level in Greater Boston U S 2010 The city of Boston has identified specific projects in East Boston Charlestown and South Boston that would raise small parcels of land and use temporary barriers in key locations to prevent flooding during storms which due to climate change will be higher than present 4 In 2016 Climate Ready Boston recommended studying the feasibility of a storm tidal barrier for Boston Harbor 5 The resulting report from the University of Massachusetts Boston Sustainable Solutions Lab concluded that such a barrier would not be cost effective compared to a larger number of smaller scale on shore projects 6 A 2016 Executive Order established a climate change strategy for the Commonwealth 7 A 2018 noreaster caused flooding in downtown Boston Quincy and Scituate raising more concerns about the impact of sea level rise 8 Ecosystems edit nbsp Briarwood Fire near Rockport 2022 Climate change will affect fishing and farming 1 Marshlands on the coast of Massachusetts help mitigate storm surges but development has reduced these crucial ecosystems 9 There has also been a reduction in traditional state products due to the increased heat and warming waters Cranberry harvests and maple syrup have been negatively impacted by climate change 10 11 Response editState laws and legislative action edit This section needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information June 2018 Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law three global warming and energy related bills that will promote advanced biofuels support the growth of the clean energy technology industry and cut the emissions of greenhouse gases within the state The Clean Energy Biofuels Act signed in late July 2008 exempts cellulosic ethanol from the state s gasoline tax but only if the ethanol achieves a 60 reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to gasoline The act also requires all diesel motor fuels and all No 2 fuel oil sold for heating to include at least 2 substitute fuel by July 2010 where substitute fuel is defined as a fuel derived from renewable non food biomass that achieves at least a 50 reduction in greenhouse gas emissions The requirement for both motor diesel fuel and heating oil increases by a percentage point per year until 2013 after which it holds steady 5 The act also allows the state to expand the requirement to other forms of fuel oil and it requires the state to work to establish a low carbon fuel standard under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative In early August 2008 Governor Patrick signed two additional bills the Green Jobs Act and the Global Warming Solutions Act The Green Jobs Act will support the growth of a clean energy technology industry within the state backed by 68 million in funding over 5 years The Global Warming Solutions Act 12 13 requires a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the state to 10 25 below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 below 1990 levels by 2050 Under the act the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will carry the burdens of determining the baseline level of emissions in 1990 and creating a plan to meet the future emissions limits including the establishment of interim limits for 2030 and 2040 nbsp Solar rooftop installation Sudbury In December 2019 Massachusetts joined consideration for a multi state gasoline cap and trade program The plan aims to reduce transportation related tailpipe emissions and would levy a tax on fuel companies based on carbon dioxide emissions The most ambitious version of the plan is projected to reduce the area s tailpipe emissions by 25 between 2022 and 2032 The program is in the public comment phase with individual states determining whether to participate The program could begin as early as 2022 14 In late 2020 Massachusetts released a Decarbonization Roadmap that aims for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 The plan calls for major investments in offshore wind and solar energy heating and cooling upgrades to millions of buildings and would require all new automobiles sold to be zero emissions electric or hydrogen powered by 2035 15 16 Response by municipalities edit In addition to state initiatives several municipalities within Massachusetts have released their own climate action plans including Boston 17 Collective buying of electricity edit The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston Medical Center and the Post Office Square Redevelopment Corporation bundled their electricity purchasing power in 2016 to finance construction of a 6 megawatt solar farm in North Carolina The City of Boston is planning a similar initiative with cities across the country 18 Electricity market legislative timeline edit 1997 Restructuring Act Opened the electricity market to competition and innovation setting the stage to over 109 000 clean energy jobs in the state today 1997 Restructuring Act Act 164 1 July 1997 2008 Green Communities Act Created the Green Communities Program aimed at providing financial assistance for efficiency and conservation projects at the municipal level To qualify a municipality must agree to a streamlined permitting process for new renewable projects and meet other benchmarks 2008 Green Communities Act Act 169 1 July 2008 2016 Energy Diversity Act Signed into law on August 8 2016 Sets procurements for 1600 megawatts of offshore wind These represent the largest purchase of clean energy in the Commonwealth s history 2016 Energy Diversity Act Act 188 1 July 2016 Implementation of the 2016 Energy Diversity Act On August 2 2018 the electric utility companies signed contracts for an 800 megawatt offshore wind farm to be built by Vineyard Wind at a levelized price of 6 5 cents a kilowatt hour for 20 years The offshore wind farm will result in 3 600 jobs in the region during the construction phase and has a 2021 in service date 2016 Energy Diversity Act Act 188 1 July 2016 See also edit nbsp Global warming portal nbsp Environment portal Solar power in Massachusetts Wind power in Massachusetts List of power stations in Massachusetts Plug in electric vehicles in MassachusettsReferences edit a b EPA What climate change means for Massachusetts PDF Archived PDF from the original on 2020 12 05 Retrieved 2023 02 15 Effects of Climate Change in Massachusetts Mass Audubon Archived from the original on 2020 07 03 Retrieved 2020 04 23 a b Dupigny Giroux L A E L Mecray M D Lemcke Stampone G A Hodgkins E E Lentz K E Mills E D Lane R Miller D Y Hollinger W D Solecki G A Wellenius P E Sheffield A B MacDonald C Caldwell 2018 Northeast In Reidmiller D R C W Avery D R Easterling K E Kunkel K L M Lewis T K Maycock B C Stewart eds Impacts Risks and Adaptation in the United States Fourth National Climate Assessment Volume II Report Washington DC USA U S Global Change Research Program pp 669 742 doi 10 7930 NCA4 2018 CH18 Climate Ready Boston Archived from the original on 2018 06 12 Retrieved 2018 06 06 Editorial Costly plans wrong way to solve coastal flooding Archived from the original on 2018 06 12 Retrieved 2018 06 06 UMass Boston Report Boston Harbor Barrier Costs Would Outweigh Benefits 2018 05 29 Archived from the original on 2018 06 12 Retrieved 2018 06 06 Massachusetts Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Viewer www mass gov Archived from the original on 2022 08 19 Retrieved 2022 08 26 Photos Scenes from the powerful nor easter Archived from the original on 2018 05 07 Retrieved 2018 06 06 Effects of Climate Change on Salt Marshes Archived from the original on 2020 07 28 Retrieved 2023 02 15 Harrington Samantha 2021 08 25 Climate change is hurting cranberry harvests in Massachusetts Yale Climate Connections Archived from the original on 2021 08 25 Retrieved 2021 09 05 Heat sewer problems and less lobster New report details climate change s impact in Boston www wbur org Retrieved 2023 07 30 Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act S 2540 MA Adaptation Clearinghouse www adaptationclearinghouse org Archived from the original on 2019 09 13 Retrieved 2020 05 17 Massachusetts Session Laws August 7 2008 An act establishing the Global Warming Solutions Act vol Chapter 298 archived from the original on November 10 2022 retrieved February 15 2023 Tabuchi Hiroko 17 December 2019 Eastern States Introduce a Plan to Cap Tailpipe Pollution The New York Times Archived from the original on 26 March 2020 Retrieved 26 March 2020 Martin Naomi December 30 2020 Mass to require all new cars sold to be electric by 2035 as part of climate change measures The Boston Globe Archived from the original on January 26 2021 Retrieved February 15 2023 Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Archived from the original on 2021 01 01 Retrieved 2023 02 15 Boston Climate Action Boston gov 2019 01 23 Archived from the original on 2021 03 23 Retrieved 2020 05 17 Power brokers Boston to join other cities to collectively buy energy from renewable sources Archived from the original on 2018 06 12 Retrieved 2018 06 11 Further reading editDupigny Giroux L A E L Mecray M D Lemcke Stampone G A Hodgkins E E Lentz K E Mills E D Lane R Miller D Y Hollinger W D Solecki G A Wellenius P E Sheffield A B MacDonald C Caldwell 2018 Northeast In Reidmiller D R C W Avery D R Easterling K E Kunkel K L M Lewis T K Maycock B C Stewart eds Impacts Risks and Adaptation in the United States Fourth National Climate Assessment Volume II Report Washington DC USA U S Global Change Research Program pp 669 742 doi 10 7930 NCA4 2018 CH18 this chapter of the National Climate Assessment covers Northeast statesExternal links editCity of Boston sea level rise flood interactive map How will global warming of 2 C affect Massachusetts University of Massachusetts Nestor Ramos At the Edge of a Warming World September 26 2019 BostonGlobe com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Climate change in Massachusetts amp oldid 1194759013, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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