On Earth Day

PHOTO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich joins Isabella O’Donnell Silfverberg at KNCE True Taos Radio for an interview on climate action and Earth Day, April 21, 2022.

Dear Friend,

Earth Day offers us the opportunity to renew our commitment to pass on a healthy and livable planet to future generations. As the father of two teenage sons, I know just how attuned our kids and young Americans are to how their future will be impacted by the actions—or inactions—we take today to invest in clean energy and climate resilience.

PHOTO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) visits the temporary evacuation center set up at the Ruidoso Convention Center and meets with the Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2 for a fire briefing and tour of key impacts areas of the McBride and Nogal Fires, April 16, 2022.

The climate crisis that is already contributing to more destructive wildfire behavior in New Mexico’s forests, dangerously low water levels in our rivers and reservoirs, and the disappearance of snowpack on our mountains, is the direct result of the hydrocarbons like coal, oil, and fossil gas that you and I are burning into the atmosphere from our homes, offices, and vehicles.

As we have seen all too clearly over the last month, our current reliance on those same hydrocarbons is also propping up Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked aggression and horrific war crimes in Ukraine and leading to more costly gas prices and more expensive monthly utility bills.

PHOTO: Ahead of Earth Day, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) visits an ultra-efficient, fully electric house in Taos County to bring attention to his Zero-Emission Homes Act, which would help families lower costs and improve their health by making home electrification affordable and accessible, April 21, 2022.

I am dedicated to growing New Mexico’s clean energy economy, helping families lower their energy costs by purchasing electric home appliances and electric vehicles, investing in on-the ground conservation work to repair our forests and watersheds, and supporting the long-term health of fish and wildlife habitat all across America.

This remains our best opportunity to make a real difference in the type of planet that we will pass on to our children and future generations. All eyes are rightly on the Biden administration and on Congress to pass transformative climate investments. We need to deliver.

Sincerely,

MARTIN HEINRICH
United States Senator