The effects of climate change are more apparent everyday. Hurricane Ian tore through Florida and Hurricane Fionna left thousands without power in Puerto Rico. Extreme weather events are becoming less rare. In recent years, people from Central American countries have been dealing with continuous drought and inhospitable environmental conditions, which often force people to leave. In 2020, 30.7 million people were displaced and the majority were fleeing floods, wildfire, drought or heat waves. This number is only going to increase as extreme weather events get worse. It is time to make a change. We cannot continue business as usual because we are destroying the only planet that is known to sustain life. Luckily, we have a solution. Renewable energy has the potential to provide energy at a lower cost to the environment. In fact, if we install the equivalent of one million solar roofs, it will be enough energy for 47% of Massachusetts. This is something we can do. If Massachusetts incentivizes solar production in installation on buildings across the state, then we will be here in no time. We no longer have a choice to wait. We can no longer pass on the environmental destruction to the next generation. The time is now and the question is if Massachusetts will step up to the challenge.
Caroline Williams
Amherst