Bill Richardson

AZ I See It

Climate change affects some communities more significantly than others

Tribal communities are particularly harmed by climate change%2C but they're fighting back

Supporting the administration's Clean Power Plan is a great way to protect communities

As the governor of New Mexico for eight years, I understand the challenges facing Native American communities and in particular how climate change disproportionately affects these communities.

As a former U.S. Energy secretary, I also have an intimate understanding of the benefits and opportunities that accrue from policies that help us transition to cleaner sources of energy.

The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled its Clean Power Plan this year, the most significant policy to date for addressing carbon pollution from power plants, the primary cause of climate change in the U.S.

Climate change affects different communities in different ways, some more significantly than others. Tribal communities know the impacts more significantly than most.

That is why the EPA hearing in Phoenix this week, regarding the supplemental proposal to the Clean Power Plan addressing carbon pollution from affected power plants in Indian Country and U.S. territories, was so important.

Tribes have already experienced significant negative effects of climate change, both from extreme weather and, particularly, health impacts.

Climate change and rising temperatures increase smog, a key trigger for asthma. A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that asthma affects almost 12 percent of people living in tribal communities. That's almost double the national average — one key reason we need to reduce dangerous carbon pollution and the climate change it's fueling. The problem will only grow with unmitigated climate change.

Climate change endangers not only the health but also the economic stability of tribal communities. Extreme drought is lowering water levels and impairing agricultural productivity. Extreme rainfall and snowfall has also led to flooding and dislocation.

The Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe were severely affected by a 2010 snow storm that produced several feet of snow. Many members of both tribes were stranded, and food and supplies had to be flown in to provide for those in remote areas.

Tribal communities are well aware of the imminent threat that climate change poses, and tribes are taking action to prevent devastation. In the Southwest and across the nation, tribes are trying to find ways to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by implementing renewable energy, energy efficiency and weatherization measures. In a model case, the Gila River Indian Community hired a climate projects specialist and coordinated a renewable energy team to implement energy-conservation projects.

Some tribes in Arizona and New Mexico have also worked to develop their wind energy resources with wind farms and solar energy through utility-scale solar projects. They have also explored the potential for developing geothermal energy resources.

Our nation's tribal communities are taking action to fight climate change, and the rest of the country needs to follow suit. Supporting the administration's Clean Power Plan is one surefire way to start. The proposal would cut carbon pollution by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.

Reducing our carbon pollution needs to be a priority for everyone because climate change affects everyone. Although some communities are impacted more significantly than others by climate change, it is a national and global crisis. The EPA projects that its plan will prevent over 6,000 premature deaths, up to 150,000 asthma attacks in children, and more than 3,000 heart attacks.

During my many years of public service, I have always promoted common-sense policies that protect communities while also creating economic opportunities. The Clean Power Plan fights climate change in a manner that is good for our economy and our public health.It should be implemented without delay.

Bill Richardson, a former New Mexico governor, served as Energy secretary and U.N. ambassador in the Clinton administration.