Three weeks ago, CARI activists came through with over 450 letters of support for S. 78, “Act On Climate 2021.” The Senate hearing was a rousing success!

Now it’s time to shock and awe the House of Representatives before the bill’s first hearing there, which will be this Friday afternoon February 26.

Can you sign on in support and help us reach 500 supporters by Thursday night?

Call to Action

Your action is needed today to help pass this bill. Use this new web form to add your message of support for the bill. Your message will be sent automatically to your own State Representative. We will also add you to the list of bill supporters that CARI submits with their testimony at Friday’s hearing.

Register Your Support


Details of the Bill

A current Rhode Island state law, the Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014, sets aspirational goals for reducing our carbon pollution: 45% by 2035 and 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels.

Unfortunately, these goals are no longer supported by science. Steeper cuts are needed here, and everywhere, to prevent catastrophic heating of the planet by 2.7°F or more. Worse yet, the 2014 law provides no means of accountability or enforcement if the state fails to meet these goals.

greenhouse gas emission reduction targets

The 2021 Act On Climate bill fixes these problems with an amendment to the 2014 law. The bill requires:

  1. Faster emission reductions: 45% cut by 2030 instead of 2035; 80% cut by 2040 instead of 2050; and 100% cut (net zero emissions) by 2050, consistent with current climate science.
  2. Accountability and transparency: emission reduction targets will become legally binding. The state will have to publish plans, metrics, and a dashboard. If the state fails to follow the law, it can be enforced.
  3. Attention to job creation and a just transition: the state’s plans must include input from vulnerable communities, address public health and environmental inequities, and develop a diverse, well-paid, clean-energy workforce.

Passing this bill will set a solid foundation for all future laws to address the climate crisis in Rhode Island. It will make Rhode Island a national leader in matching our policy to science. And it will strengthen our economy with good jobs, improved health, and locally produced power.

Getting It Passed

The bill has strong support from Assembly leaders, the environmental community, and organized labor. But the fossil-fuel lobby, big-business lobby, and science denialists will be out in force to oppose it. That’s why we need your support today.

To register your support for the bill, just visit this web page.  It should just take one minute of your time.

In addition, you may wish to sign up to give live testimony by phone during the hearing on Friday. Check the committee agenda linked below for instructions on how to do that.

More Info

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