Protecting Our Environment

We have a climate crisis that screams for unified action. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Crisis declares that the situation is “code red for Humanity.” We must mobilize now to ensure that our planet is healthy for the generations to come.

In alignment with Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework, I will make my priorities: healthy lives and resilient communities, clean energy and efficient buildings, clean transportation, climate-smart natural and working lands, and a clean economy.

I will take action by authoring and supporting policies that:

• Deliver on environmental justice for all people, living organisms, and the planet. Too often, marginalized people and communities bear the burden of pollution in their air and water, environmental degradation, and displacement. We will do better – together. All policies must consider historic inequities and learn from the past as we work to create inclusive policy and programs going forward. I will support legislation that does this, and I will oppose legislation that does not.
• Combat the climate crisis by reducing fossil fuel dependence through adopting mandatory Climate Adaptation Plans.
• Transition electricity production away from fossil fuels. Electricity accounts for approximately 28% of our carbon footprint. By creating an electrical power grid that relies on wind, solar and nuclear, we can end our dependence on oil, natural gas and coal. Distributed renewable energy makes off-shore drilling, fracking and massive pipelines unnecessary – further protecting the environment from harm.
• Hold corporate polluters accountable by regulating reductions of carbon intensive practices though fines and carbon tax tariffs.
• Ensure that mining proposals are rigorously assessed for their environmental impact. With the transition to renewable energy and beneficial electrification, our need for metals like copper will increase. I will oppose proposals that fail to prove that mining will not cause harm to our environment or cherished natural resources. This is why I oppose both the Twin Metals and PolyMet mine proposals: the risk to the surrounding environment, whether it’s the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or the Lake Superior Watershed, is too great.
• Engage programs for educating sound stewardship of natural resources for future generations.
• Extend our interest in protecting, conserving and restoring air and water to include land.
• Create a “Green Job Corps” program that trains people in the skills and abilities needed to transition the economy toward an environmentally sustainable future. Develop federally funded opportunities to make it happen. The Green Job Corps program should focus on underemployed and economically disadvantaged people as a way to both provide good jobs and leap-frog us into this critically needed new direction.