Issue Position: Environment

Issue Position

Honestly, I can't believe that we are still having a debate in this state over whether climate change is real. But since we are, I'll say it.

Climate change is real.

But the opponent I'm running against voted against creating the Climate Change Coordinating Council and voted against the Renewable Growth Energy Program. In a direct attack on academic freedom and scientists, he voted against a law that protected university researchers' working papers, preliminary drafts, and notes from public records requests -- requests that have been used by special-interest groups to pressure and harass researchers before they can even publish their findings.

Rhode Island will be more affected by climate change than any state in the Union because our coastline is so vast, and such an important part of our state's fabric. Growing up in Rhode Island, I know how important our coastline is to our state's success. I have so many memories spending my summer days at our beautiful beaches and at my grandparents' house on Ninigret Pond in Charlestown. Now that we live in East Greenwich, the water is only a 5 minute drive away, so climate change will hit our district hard, too.

Given the importance of this issue to our state, our state ought to be taking the national, even the global, lead on an issue like this.

We absolutely must get on the side of science -- on the side of reality -- and begin doing what we can to slow down its progress and protect ourselves against its effects. It's an inexcusable attack on our children and grandchildren to do otherwise, and we need to stand up to the fossil fuel companies and other climate-change deniers to stand on the side of what's right and real.

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