Pearson thinks climate change

If something doesn’t change soon, Vermont legislators say the Green Mountain State could have the climate of Tennessee by the year 2070.

Burlington Rep. Chris Pearson co-founded the Climate Caucus, a group of 22 legislators focused on climate change, and is currently working to involve the community to jump-start fixing the damaged climate. 

This group of representatives plans and passes bills for energy efficient projects and climate change, Pearson said.  He said he believes that climate change is man-made and that it will take people to undo the problem. 

“The Climate Caucus is a relatively new group with new and innovative ideas,” Pearson said. 

Climate change has always been an issue close to the hearts of Vermonters, he said.  As an environmentally conscientious capital, Montpelier has overlooked climate issues numerous times.  

About one-third of the representatives in Montpelier have shown interest in the Climate Caucus, and different governmental branches such as the health committee and transportation committee have been willing to use their resources to help, he said.

Pearson said climate issues are often disregarded because Vermont does not have the money — right now climate is toward the bottom of the priority list.

Pearson, a UVM alumnus, said he is ready to see change that will benefit the future and encourages students to do the same.

“Students have a rich history of making things happen without waiting on adults,” he said. “If just a few students were to get together and write letters to Montpelier about interest in putting more money toward the climate, a movement would begin.”

Some ideas the caucus is trying to bring up are a focus on more parking lots and solar panels. Pearson explained that parking lots would save carbon output to the environment.

“I see this as an evolution,” he said.  “The progressive party brings up issues others ignore.”

Junior Thomas Cafarella said that representatives in Montpelier should look at climate change policies as a long-term goal instead of a short-term aim. 

“Eventually [the climate] will change and the sooner it is looked at, the more directions there will be,” Cafarella said.