Introduction                Letter                    The Climate Challenge

Summary

Generally, Connecticut’s environment is better than it was ten years ago and significantly better than when the Council was created over 53 years ago. While the state’s air and water quality have improved in the intervening 53 years, the warming of Connecticut’s climate threatens to undermine the environmental progress of past decades. It is predicted that as the climate warms, severe weather events, such as drought conditions and extreme rainfall, might become more frequent.  In 2024, drought conditions contributed to wildfires which adversely impacted Connecticut’s air quality. More persistent impacts to air quality, specifically ground-level ozone, result when winds from the southwest and west transport ozone precursors from the large metropolitan areas into the state. Air emissions from mobile, industrial and commercial sources in Connecticut then enhance the production of ground-level ozone. Unless emissions in those states are reduced substantially, Connecticut residents are likely to continue to breathe unhealthy air.

Connecticut’s changing climate is creating compatible loci for invasive species, like the Asian tiger mosquito, and impacting the distribution and abundance of native species, which can have negative economic, ecological, and public health impacts. This is already evident in the near collapse of Connecticut’s lobster harvest. Animals, such as forest birds, turtles, and bats, and native plants will diminish as their habitat is impacted by development or transforms and becomes less habitable.

There is good news to report. The area of hypoxia in Long Island Sound during the summer months continues to decline due to several factors, such as the state’s Nitrogen Control Program, improvements to wastewater treatment facilities, and better controls for stormwater runoff. Populations of eagles, osprey, and piping plover have generally increased over the last few decades due, in part, to successful reintroduction programs, and habitat protection measures. And while there has been a shift to more warm-adapted finfish species in Long Island Sound, overall finfish diversity in the Sound remains high.

Efforts made by the Governor and the General Assembly to address climate change are important and are supported by the Council. Nevertheless, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from in-state sources, such as the electric power sector and the transportation sector, continue to be a significant concern. Achieving the emission reduction goals set forth in several public acts will be difficult without drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Programs and policies to promote renewable energy, such as solar, and electric-drive vehicles (EVs), have been successful and should be expanded. Additional efforts to reduce the amount of solid waste, and the consumption of energy through energy conservation and the more efficient use of energy, should be prioritized over developing new sources of electricity generation. Further, nature-based solutions, such as the preservation of open space land and farmland and forest management/urban forestry can help to combat climate change, reduce flood risk, improve water quality, enhance habitats, reduce urban heat, and improve the quality of life for Connecticut’s residents.

A detailed list of recommendations with specific action items can be found on the Recommendations page.