I am writing to publicly commend Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Duluth Mayor Emily Larson for their extraordinary vision in placing Minnesota in a leadership role to reduce the risks to us all from climate change.
On March 4, Walz and Flanagan announced their set of policy proposals known as One Minnesota Path to Clean Energy. This set of policies would lead Minnesota to 100 percent clean energy in the state's electricity sector by 2050.
Mayor Larson has proposed a Duluth Energy Plan Commission to lead the city of Duluth to reduce its carbon footprint by 80 percent.
As a family physician, I am in the business of caring for the current health and future health of my patients and our community. Climate change is the greatest health risk we face as we look to the future. As a physician, I am well aware that solutions must be multifaceted. Each of us individually must make choices everyday with the planet in mind.
Stewards of public infrastructure, private corporations, and health care and public institutions must also make sweeping changes regarding the consumption of fossil fuels and the outputs that contribute to a warming climate. Statewide policy changes to support clean energy with a shift to renewables are extraordinarily important. By prioritizing clean energy and energy efficiency, the new One Minnesota vision will position Minnesota at the forefront of the green-energy economy and create jobs and expertise while protecting our planet for future generations.
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As Minnesotans, we can stand as global leaders to confront the terrible problems of climate change. Individuals, industries, and politicians must each do their part. We are all on this planet together. Kudos to the forward-thinking policy proposals of Gov. Walz, Lt.Gov. Flanagan, and Mayor Larson.
Dr. Nyasha Spears
Duluth
