Climate change is a threat to our neighborhoods, our wallets, and our planet. We see the impacts throughout our community. Rising sea levels are driving up flood insurance rates, ocean acidification threatens our local shellfishing industry, coastal erosion threatens our barrier beaches and our watersheds. In the face of Federal inaction and reductions in regulations we must lead at the state level.

I applaud the decision of the Massachusetts legislature and Gov. Baker to uphold the Paris Climate Accord and I support continued investments in clean energy and pollution reduction policies that will put Massachusetts on track to cut greenhouse emissions by 80% in 2050. By taking these steps, we can ensure Massachusetts becomes a national leader in the journey towards a greener future. Investing in safe energy means we can guarantee that our air is clean and our community continues to thrive on the Massachusetts coast for generations to come. Green energy also means green jobs. By making these investments, we will create valuable, long-term jobs to ensure Massachusetts workers have sustainable opportunities in the changing environmental and economic climate.

Locally, the responsible use of our lakes and waterways is vital to our community’s well-being. Brockton’s overreliance on Silver Lake has caused dangerously low water levels in the lake and unsafe algae blooms in nearby Monponsett Pond. While progress has been made with Brockton's signing of a new Administrative Consent Order (ACO) in 2017, the enforcement of those regulations on their water management practices will be among my top priorities, and I will advocate for further state funding as needed to combat toxic algae in Monponsett Pond.