What in the world is going on?
The emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) from human activities such as electricity production, transportation, and residential heating and cooling contribute to the current implications of climate change. These gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat as it reflects out of the earth's atmosphere in a process called the greenhouse effect. While some of the greenhouse effect is natural, its acceleration due to increased GHG emissions is the underlying driver behind rising atmospheric temperatures. In tandem, the rising temperatures negatively affect sea levels, extreme weather events, precipitation and temperature trends, and ecological systems.
While most of the Priority Climate Action Plan strategies will not be adaptation-based, a thorough evaluation of mitigation strategies requires the context of climate impacts in the region. The current and projected impacts outlined below are occurring due to a rapidly changing climate, making mitigation an integral part of addressing the overall resiliency of our community as we move forward into an uncertain climate future.
IPCC IMPACT AND FUTURE PROJECTIONS (IPCC, 2023)
There is high confidence in our region's continued magnification of tropical cyclone impacts, specifically increased wind speeds and precipitation.
It is a certainty that sea level rise will continue in the region, and ocean temperatures in the North Atlantic will likely continue to rise into the future as well.
There is high confidence in continued and amplified warming over North America.
There is high confidence that ocean acidification will increase along the eastern seaboard.
Current regional impacts
Current conditions in the region indicate that climate change-related impacts are already happening. These observed impacts include higher precipitation, higher average temperatures, and an increased risk of tropical cyclone impact. These observations and predictions guide our work on planning for an uncertain climate future and our approach through environmental justice stresses the importance of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the context of these impacts.
Connecticut Acts on Climate Change
Connecticut has created a strong plan to combat and prepare for climate change. The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program provides South Central Connecticut crucial funds to build on this work by partnering with local communities to create an ambitious plan that speaks to the region’s unique needs and strengths.
Recent CT Climate Action
2018: The Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) releases Building a Low Carbon Future for Connecticut. The state legislature passes an act making these greenhouse gas emissions targets legally binding:
By 2020, a reduction of at least 10% from 1990 levels
By 2030, a reduction of at least 45% from 2001 levels
By 2050, a reduction of at least 80% from 2002 levels
2019: Governor Lamont sets new goals to lower greenhouse gasses, waste, and water use, and expands the role of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) to aggressively pursue existing goals.
2020: Goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 10% below 1990 levels is met.
2021: Governor Lamont strengthens climate resilience measures for buildings, transportation, energy use, and environmental health.
2022: State legislature passes an act committing the state to zero carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2040.
2023: To boost industry interest in off-shore wind development, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) requesting that developers submit multi-state off-shore wind proposals to supply up to a combined total of up to 6,000 megawatts (MW) of wind energy.
