Governments and individuals debate: Are mandates needed to reach climate change targets?
Governments, organizations and businesses have set ambitious goals to combat climate change
MIDDLETOWN, N.J. — Governments, organizations and businesses have set ambitious goals to combat climate change. But it is far from clear that those goals can be met without forcing people to do — or not do — certain things.
And that is causing some consternation, even among some people who acknowledge the need to slow the warming of the planet.
This week, New Jersey has gone into more detail about its climate change goals, including its proposed ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, and a push to “decarbonize” public and private buildings by switching from natural gas to electric heating and appliances.
It's part of an effort by the Democrat-controlled state to reduce its emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050.
Shawn LaTourette, New Jersey's environmental protection commissioner, hesitates to use the word “mandate” in describing the state's plans.
“There are interests out there that tune into the narrative of heavy-handed government forcing people to do things,” he said. “That is not what is happening.”
On Thursday, his agency held an online public hearing about its plan — required by state law — to adopt California's Clean Cars policy requiring car dealers to phase out the sale of internal combustion vehicles and end them by 2035.
And while nothing would stop someone from buying a new gasoline-powered car in another state and bringing it to New Jersey, or continuing to own and drive a gas-powered car they already own or purchase a used one, the move drew fire.
John Burzichelli, the New Jersey Assembly's former deputy speaker, opposes the move as a mandate.
“I can tell you that the tone
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