Massachusetts will now not purchase single-use plastic merchandise, the governor introduced to begin the week.
Speaking Monday in New York at an early morning session of the Clinton Global Initiative, Gov. Maura Healey used her transient time on the podium to announce she’s going to concern two government orders within the coming days, certainly one of which might name on the Commonwealth’s procurement officers to cease shopping for so-called disposable plastics.
“I will sign an executive order that bans the purchase of single use plastics by state agencies in Massachusetts,” the Bay State’s 73rd Governor mentioned to open a session titled “Turning tides: how to accelerate sustainable practices for ocean conservation.”
According to Healey, her order will make Massachusetts the primary of the 50 states governments to formally cease buying single use plastic bottles. The order might be efficient instantly upon concern, the governor mentioned.
“We know that plastic waste, plastic production are among the leading threats to our oceans, our climate and environmental justice. In government we have an obligation, we also have an opportunity to not only stop contributing to this damage but to chart a better path forward,” she mentioned.
Healey additionally introduced a second “groundbreaking new step” geared toward mitigating the impacts of local weather change on the state’s biodiversity.
“Currently in Massachusetts, over 430 species are listed as endangered. Scientists estimate that worldwide, one million face extinction. We’ve spent decades working to protect our natural resources, but with climate change accelerating the decline, biodiversity loss threatens public health, economic stability, food security, and our emissions goals,” Healey mentioned.
Through a second government order, the governor mentioned she would direct the state’s authorities to determine “biodiversity conservation targets” for 2030, 2040 and 2050, and give you a plan to satisfy these targets.
“These biodiversity protections will be the strongest in the nation,” Healey mentioned. “They will also be among the first to extend to coastal and maritime habitats.”
The governor has been vocal about her intention to place the impacts of local weather change entrance and middle and her administration’s work to make Massachusetts extra local weather resilient.
Just hours into her first full day on the job, Healey signed an government order creating the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience and naming Melissa Hoffer the state’s Climate Chief, the primary such cupboard degree place established by any state.
“Our natural world recognizes no political divisions and neither should our work to protect it,” the governor mentioned Monday. “So I offer Massachusetts’ partnership, and I invite colleagues and leaders across America and around the world to take action for the health of our oceans and the long term well being of our people.”
Under present state regulation, the Commonwealth should attain a carbon emissions customary of “net zero” by 2050.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”
