Our climate change summer is here: Hamilton laments wildfire-fueled toxic air, calls for ‘proactive and strategic’ climate action

For the past week, smoke from the Canadian wildfires has encased Indiana in a toxic haze. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued air quality advisories warning Hoosiers of this significant health hazard. This wildfire season is the most severe on record in Canada due to drought and abnormally high temperatures linked to climate change. 

“For years, climate change has been dismissed at the Statehouse as something the Republican supermajority simply won’t acknowledge let alone address,” State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) said. “The consequences of climate change are now hitting Hoosiers like a gut punch as we faced a toxic smoke-filled state for yet another day this week.

“Just last month, I requested an interim legislative study of climate change impacts on Indiana – a request that was denied by the supermajority. I noted that Indiana’s investment in carbon mitigation, including building a greener energy grid, will reduce the public health costs that result from poor air quality. In addition to increasing energy independence, these investments will attract manufacturers with good-paying, new jobs and workers who prioritize living in healthy communities and value a high quality of life. 

“As a manufacturing state, we are perfectly positioned to build the clean energy economy of the future including electric vehicles, solar panels and the range of new technologies that are already in high demand today. We should marry strategic efforts to grow these industries with proactive policies to reduce carbon emissions across Indiana. Notably, these efforts will also help reduce the increasing stress that climate change places on our critical agriculture sector.

“The negative impacts of climate change can no longer be ignored. In light of this toxic air event – an alarming wake-up call for our state – I’m calling once again for a 2023 climate study committee.  It’s time to be proactive and strategic to ensure Indiana remains a great place to live, work and play.”