Climate is one of the reasons why we are losing our iconic sugar maples on the Town Common. Photo by Laura Hanson.
Despite the efforts that have already been undertaken to combat climate change, we have been experiencing its ill effects right here in Hopkinton.
Anyone familiar with compound interest or exponential growth can understand how even small actions can have a big impact later. If we wait too long, we will miss our chance.
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The following charts derived from the Resilient MA Climate Change Projections Dashboard describe what will likely happen to us here in Hopkinton if the world does nothing to combat climate change.
Although Hopkinton has taken many steps over the years to reduce our carbon emissions, we are not yet on the right path. Adopting the specialized code is one of the steps that will help us to get there.
The stretch code currently in place has not been sufficient to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. In fact, as the town has grown, the use of utility gas has increased.
Our overall greenhouse gas emissions have not declined sufficiently to meet our net zero targets. Immediate course correction will be necessary to get back on track.
As we look at ways to bring Hopkinton back on track toward achieving our net zero targets, we focus primarily on the areas of biggest impact. The Greenhouse Gas Inventory, included in the 2023 Hopkinton Climate Action Plan, gives us important insight into where those areas of biggest impact are. Clearly, sustainable buildings top the list. Every year without passing the specialized code has a huge opportunity cost, resulting in about 30-40 homes built without a straightforward path to electrification. When addressing the root causes of climate change, every year matters and it becomes increasingly difficult to make up for lost time.
