Sierra Club Foundation: Let's Lower Emissions by 2030, Not 2050

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 23 -- The Sierra Club Foundation issued the following statement:

Governor Baker released his annual State of the Commonwealth address on Tuesday night. A Republican, Baker emphasized the need to act on climate and committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and increased funding for the operation of MBTA.

Deb Pasternak, Director of the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter said the following:

"We are happy to see Governor Baker state that lowering our greenhouse gas emissions must be a signature part of his administration's policies going forward by announcing a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. We are also glad to see him strongly supporting the Transportation and Climate Initiative as a way to invest in safe, clean and reliable transportation infrastructure.

"Despite these great advances, we must act by 2030 to lower our greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50%. The Sierra Club will work with the Baker administration and the State legislature to enact environmentally-just and worker-friendly comprehensive policies that would shift our electricity grid to 100% renewables by 2035 and weatherize existing housing stock, while mandating new construction be built to net-zero standards.

"The benefits of these policies will provide good jobs, a prosperous economy, better public health, a cleaner environment, and preserving a livable planet for future generations."

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About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.