Vermont Businesses to Governor Scott: Sign the Global Warming Solutions Act!
Last week the Vermont House of Representatives passed H. 688, the Global Warming Solutions Act, legislation that would transform Vermont’s current emission reduction goals into requirements and establish a diverse Climate Council to advance solutions that create jobs, improve community resilience, and reduce energy burdens for rural and marginalized communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
With the bill now on Governor’s Scott’s desk, VBSR partnered with Burton, Seventh Generation, and VPIRG to deliver an important message of support from the Vermont business community and published an ad on behalf of over 75 businesses urging him to sign the bill into law.
“As a state that touts an environmental legacy and strong outdoor brand, it is well past time to take meaningful and measurable action on climate,” said Jenn Swain, global senior sustainability manager at Burton Snowboards. “Outdoor recreation fuels Vermont’s economy and communities, generating $5.5 billion and supplying 51,000 direct jobs, which is one in seven jobs in this state. However, the number of days with snow cover has decreased by one to two weeks since 1970 in the northeast. We can’t afford to put this integral part of our economy and communities at risk. Burton urges Governor Scott to sign the Global Warming Solutions Act into law.”
“The past several months alone have given us all a glimpse of what a toll multiple simultaneous crises can take on our lives, our economy, and our futures. It has never been more critical to take swift action to transition Vermont’s economy to one that is more just, more equitable, and more sustainable,” said Kate Ogden, Advocacy and Movement Building Manager at Seventh Generation. “The Global Warming Solutions Act is an important step on the path to a thriving, more resilient Vermont.”
“Business leaders across the state agree that Vermont must do more if we’re going to harness the full potential of decarbonizing our economy and in doing so address the simultaneous public health, racial, economic, and climate crises converging on our state,” said VBSR Public Policy Manager, Jordan Giaconia. “The Global Warming Solutions Act creates the roadmap our state desperately needs to advance climate solutions that create family-sustaining jobs, keep dollars flowing in our local economies, and prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable communities. The groundswell of business support we’ve seen for this bill is nothing short of inspiring and a surefire sign that the time for real climate action is now.”
“It’s been incredible to see so much of the Vermont business community show up for climate action, and the Global Warming Solutions Act specifically,” said Ben Edgerly Walsh, climate and energy program director for VPIRG. “Vermont has two possible paths right now – embrace the jobs and economic activity that come with climate action or get left even further behind as our neighbors modernize their infrastructure and we sit on our hands. The legislature has made the right choice, and VPIRG is proud to stand with VBSR in urging the Governor to do so as well.”
With a racial, public health, economic, and climate crises bearing down on our little state, we need to come together to find forward-looking solutions, ones that help build a resilient, clean energy economy; put Vermonters to work in family-sustaining jobs; and invest in our historically underserved communities–the Solutions Act creates the roadmap we need to do just that.
That’s why VBSR is calling on our members to:
- Contact Governor Scott at 802-828-3333 and tell him to sign the Global Warming Solutions Act! The passage of the Solutions Act was thanks in no small part to the activism and collective action of Vermont’s socially responsible business community. As business leaders we can speak firsthand to the economic, environmental, and community benefits of moving away from fossil fuels and toward a clean energy future. Governor Phil Scott needs to hear directly from you that you want bold climate action – now.
- Share your support on social media: The Scott Administration has expressed major hesitations about advancing the Solutions Act. VBSR is asking all of our members to please share this video with a message of support to your social media page(s) using the hashtag #actonclimatevt and tag @GovPhilScott. Whether it’s your business’ social media account or your own personal page, make your voice heard!
- Thank your legislators for supporting the Solutions Act! Click here to see how your member voted and thank them for supporting climate action.
