While we're out enjoying the new spring weather and beautiful full blooms from many plants and flowers, let us be reminded this is only the 2nd week of spring and we've had spring-like weather for several weeks now.
There are consequences to spring's "early arrival". Climate change can affect the onset and characteristics of spring, which can have, both, ecological and social impacts. Studies have shown that spring is arriving earlier in many parts of the world as a result of climate change.
This is primarily due to warming temperatures, which cause snow to melt earlier, and trigger earlier plant growth and flowering. This can have both positive and negative impacts on ecosystems, such as altering the timing of migrations, food availability, and pollination. Additionally, earlier springs can lead to earlier and more intense allergy seasons, which can affect human health.
In communities of color, particularly Black communities, early spring arrivals further highlight environmental injustices facing the communities. These communities are often located near sources of pollution, such as power plants and industrial facilities, which contribute to the exacerbation of existing environmental health disparities. Because these communities often have fewer resources to adapt to the effects of climate change, the fight to improve such conditions seem impossible to beat.
That's why legislation like Maryland's Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 (SB 0528) is not only important but groundbreaking for marginalized communities. The Act requires state agencies to consider the needs of overburdened and underserved communities when developing and implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. The Act also requires the state to establish a fund to support climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in overburdened and underserved communities. As such, it creates the Climate Catalytic Fund to leverage private investment, with at least 40% being directed to qualified projects in low- and moderate-income households.
While we cannot afford to rest, just yet, legislation like this one affords us the opportunity to reduce anxiety around the environmental issues plaguing our communities.
Maryland now needs to get to work seeing things through to implementation!
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Nicole Jackson is a Climate Justice Fellow with the Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. She is the Co-Chair of the Prince George's County Climate Resident Advisory Group, Chair of the District Heights Sustainability Committee, and Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Diversity Equity, and Inclusion at Monarch Professional Services Group. Nicole enjoys reading, spending time with family, and ecotourism.
***Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles and posts on the blog "Monarch Matters" are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the official position or opinion of Monarch Professional Services Group. We believe in providing a platform for diverse perspectives and encouraging open and respectful dialogue on the issues of sustainability, environmentalism, and environmental and climate justice. Nevertheless, the content on this blog should not be taken as a representation of Monarch PSG’s views or beliefs. As always, we encourage readers to form their own opinions based on careful consideration of multiple sources of information.***
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