It's here and now, and a threat. Climate change threatens the very things that make Minnesota a great place to live, from our magnificent 10,000 lakes to our farmable land and clean air. Our climate is changing rapidly, and these shifts are already affecting our economy, our cities and towns, our unique and cherished ecosystems, and our health and well-being.
We have a plan for action. Developed with input from over 3000 Minnesotans, our Climate Action Framework sets a vision for how Minnesota will address and prepare for climate change. It identifies immediate actions we must take to achieve a carbon-neutral, resilient, and equitable future for our state. The framework also sets new greenhouse gas reduction goals for Minnesota, based on the best available science:
- Reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030.
- Achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Bold and creative responses needed. In 2019, Governor Tim Walz signed the Climate Change Executive Order (19-37), emphasizing the size and the scope of the climate crisis and the need to protect all Minnesotans. This executive order established the Climate Change Subcabinet, comprised of state agency and department leadership, as well as the Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change, a citizen board appointed to advise the Subcabinet. Together, they are tasked with identifying strategies to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals and prepare Minnesota for the impacts of climate change that cannot be avoided.
Solutions are possible if we work together. Solving the climate crisis requires participation from all parts of the state, from every social and economic class, and from the public and private sectors together to form solutions as One Minnesota. By working collaboratively, we can build resilient communities, mitigate risks to our farms and businesses, and create a homegrown green economy to position Minnesota for long-term economic success.
Our Minnesota Climate is a multi-agency initiative focused on bringing Minnesota's Climate Action Framework to life.
