Minnesota College Students Write On The Urgency Of The Legislature's 2040 Climate Plan

By Lola Brown, Minnesota Reformer:

In November, young people across Minnesota and all over the United States turned out to vote in robust numbers. We went to the polls to protect our freedoms and our future.

We now have the first Democratic-Farmer-Labor trifecta since 2014 and just the second in 40 years.

Our state Legislature can now move past gridlock and use our $17.6 billion budget surplus to lead boldly, and there’s no more important thing we can do to protect our future than address the climate crisis.

That is why we are excited to see our elected leaders in Saint Paul working for rapid climate action. Our leaders have the chance to make Minnesota a 100% carbon-free energy state by 2040, expand access to public transit to reduce emissions, make our homes more energy efficient and cut our energy bills, and protect our air and water.

Whether we live in Northfield or Duluth, St. Paul or St. Peter, we are united by the need to make Minnesota’s future one where we can thrive.

Moving to 100% carbon-free energy by 2040 is the kind of bold move that the climate crisis requires, and it will have a positive impact on the wellbeing of all Minnesotans. This bill would require utilities in Minnesota to decarbonize by 2040. That means cleaner air and water for the state.

Investing in public transit cuts our emissions, reduces traffic, and makes getting around easier and more affordable for so many Minnesotans.

Decarbonizing our homes enables us to make them more energy efficient, reduces our heating bills, and with state support can be available to all of us, regardless of our income or where we live. We know that these solutions will benefit our lives today, create a more sustainable future, and, in many cases, save Minnesotans money.

Now it’s up to our elected officials to get it done.

Young people showed up at the ballots last November, and we are ready to keep showing up for the climate action we need. We are excited to see the Minnesota House already pass 100% carbon-free energy by 2040 and urge the Senate to do the same.

This commentary was written by Lola Brown and the following co-authors:

Ellen Gonyea, St. Thomas University

Jack Frundt, St. Thomas University

Fiona Murphy, St. Catherine’s University

Kevin Krantz, Bemidji State University

Lola Brown, Macalester College

Andrew Pounds, Hamline University

Eleanor Muzzy, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Zoe Barany, Augsburg University

Brock Lawhead, St. Olaf College

India Bock, St. Olaf College

Grace Bassekle, Carleton College

Zoe Schuck, Gustavus College

Sophia Artley, Gustavus College

Levi Gregg, University of Minnesota Duluth

Austin Gohman, University of Minnesota Duluth

Patrick Seeberger, University of Minnesota Duluth

Sheridan Follis, Mankato State University

Lily Grohman, Mankato State University

Emma Roggeman, Mankato State University

Elizabeth Tep, Mankato State University

Roselynn Moore, Bemidji State University

Cody Conroy, Bemidji State University

Elise Monson, Bemidji State University

The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can’t or won’t tell..