Climate Change & the RI Governor's Race

On the eve of our Rhode Island primary election, how do our different candidates for governor in Rhode Island view climate change and its nexus with health? And, which candidate is the best to steer our state through this tremendous challenge? In this piece, I’m not going to offer a single answer to this question but will offer some impressions about each candidate, after providing some thoughts about climate change and health.

Last week, as I worked on this article, rain was pummeling Providence, and flash flooding had shut down I-95 and multiple other roads earlier in the day, stranding a number of motorists and placing people at risk of drowning. Fortunately, we didn’t lose anyone. But this event, predictable after a drought, highlights the dangers of climate change and need for averting the crisis and for climate resiliency planning. Our storm drainage system was not adequately prepared. And there were multiple possible health implications, as there are any time there is flooding. Sewers were overflowing in multiple spots in the city. And, if the water stands for a while before it gets reabsorbed in the earth, mosquitos can breed, and so can diseases such as cholera and dengue.

Climate change and health, as noted above, are inextricably intertwined. Equity and environmental racism are tightly connected to climate change and its health effects, since BIPOC people disproportionately bear the brunt of the climate crisis. Increasing global and local temperatures, for instance, can cause heat stroke and death, and flooding can lead to communicable diseases carried by unclean water, as we have been seeing, sadly, in Pakistan. Jackson, Mississippi is a city with a population that is more than 80% black; and it was recently hit, during >100 degree temperatures, with several days of no running water. Here in Rhode Island, our pediatric asthma rates are, sadly, above the national levels. ER asthma visits disproportionately come from more polluted areas of Providence near the port and the concentration of industry there, and these are communities predominately of people of color.

The gubernatorial candidates discussed climate issues at a recent forum run by the Economic Council of Rhode Island and Climate Jobs RI. Additionally, candidates have spelled out their positions on their websites and in other media communications. For instance, Secretary Gorbea has a detailed, 19-page climate plan on her campaign site.

I’ve heard little overt discussion about the connections with health. However, there has been plenty of discussion about curbing use of fossil fuels and shifting to clean energy, with some discussion about equity. Without a doubt, curbing climate change would be good for people’s health including my patients'. People with asthma and other lung disease, for example, would be able to breathe more easily, because when ambient temperatures are lower, the air carries less pollution. The elderly, the young, outdoor athletes, outdoor workers and folks who can’t afford high-powered fans or air conditioners would be less vulnerable to heat stroke and death if we could halt, or even reverse, climate change.

Furthermore, the healthcare industry releases 10% of the nation’s carbon emissions, and hospitals are the worst offenders in healthcare. Therefore, improving people’s climate-related health means curbing emissions not just from industry and gas-powered vehicles but also from health-care. Policymakers and healthcare professionals can put pressure on our organizations to move to sustainable energy.

A few highlights about the candidates:

All except Ms. Kalus support banning gas-powered cars by 2035, but Dr. Munoz and Former Secretary Brown proposed slightly earlier dates. All are in support of the Environmental Justice Act, except perhaps Ms. Kalus, who focused on education in her response to this question during the climate forum. All had concerns about the health and safety of pyrolysis, an experimental burning of plastics which was proposed this past legislative session.

Specific Candidates:

Secretary Nellie Gorbea

“Climate change presents an amazing opportunity for the Ocean State, because it affects everything we are doing right now and government plays an important role leading the way,” Secretary Gorbea said. She has been endorsed by Climate Action Rhode Island. She plans, in her first 100 days, to have a dedicated team focusing on implementation of the goals of the Act on Climate. She would add full-time, expert staff to the EC4 and its advisory boards, start a RI Climate Fellows Program, promote energy efficiency in housing, and work to maximize federal funding for RI’s climate goals. She also discusses transportation infrastructure, including enhancing public transportation and safe biking, in her plan, linked here.

Helena Buonanno Foulkes

Ms. Foulkes, in the environment forum, put forward a three-pronged approach that starts with 1) supporting resiliency plans of cities and towns, 2) making sure there are “teeth” behind the Act on Climate so the goals can be achieved, and 3) building a “blue economy,” capitalizing on offshore wind and ocean resources. On her website, she advocates “making Rhode Island a leader in clean, affordable energy” and improving the Coastal Resources Management Council. At the forum, she argued that she is best qualified to manage the federal dollars coming in to make RI’s energy more sustainable. See her climate plan on her campaign website here.

Governor Dan McKee

Governor McKee highlights climate laws passed during his administration, including the Act on Climate and 100% renewable electricity by 2033. The Act on Climate aims to get our state to net-zero by 2050. He is also planning some clean energy initiatives in the budget for 2023, such as strengthening the state’s Executive Climate Coordinating Council, or EC4. Additionally, in 2022, under his administration, the RI General Assembly passed a law for 100% renewable electricity by 2033. See environment plan on campaign website here.

Dr. Daniel Munoz

Dr. Munoz focuses on environmental justice and a Green New Deal on his website. With regard to ramping up use of electric vehicles, at the forum, he advocated an aggressive rebate program. He spoke about transportation comprehensively, wanting to use “a lens of equity,” emphasizing public transportation. He also mentioned innovative ideas such as utilizing the “kinetic energy of the ocean” and “harvesting seaweed.” He expressed that as governor, he would fight against “cronyism and corruption” in government. He stated that DEM needs to collect data in order to “assess environmental justice,” and “hold government accountable.” He notes the “clear relationship between the climate crisis and a larger public health crisis” on his website here.

Former Secretary Matt Brown

Former Sec. Brown said that his climate plan as governor would be a Green New Deal and would include shutting down fossil fuels in the Port of Providence. “The climate crisis is primarily a fight with the most powerful industry in the world which is the fossil fuel industry. We cannot solve the climate crisis unless we shut down the fossil fuel industry,” he said at the forum. His plan also includes expanding solar, offshore wind, public transit and green, affordable housing. See his campaign plans under “Green New Deal” here.

Ashley Kalus

Said Ms. Kalus, "We need a governor that is able to balance innovation and entrepreneurship with environmental justice and the realities of climate change," she said about supporting industries such as offshore wind and aquaculture.” She spoke about the importance of education as an underpinning for a strong economy.

Some References:

Anderson, Patrick. Saving the environment: RI governor candidates share their strategies. August 4, 2022. Linked here.

CDC, Climate and Health. Linked here.

Cummings, Mike. Health care industry is a major source of harmful emissions. August 2, 2019.

IPCC. Climate change 2022: Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Linked here.