The science is clear: climate change is already here and its impacts will be significant and long-lasting. Delaying action or taking half-hearted measures will allow global temperatures to rise even more, creating even worse disruption to natural and human systems. But there is still time to act to mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Our reliance on fossil fuels is driving changes in our climate that are already having devastating effects on New Mexico — clearly visible in the severe drought and catastrophic wildfires we have been experiencing over the last several years.

Relying on oil, coal and natural gas for the bulk of our energy needs is a losing proposition. Recent fracking booms, including the one in the Permian basin, are not sustainable and their boom-and-bust cycles create havoc for state and local budget planning. Independent data has shown that methane emissions are likely much higher than industry and federal government monitoring suggest and oil and gas facilities also emit harmful ozone and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which are known carcinogens.

Fortunately, New Mexico boasts a wealth of clean, renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, biofuels, geothermal sources and more. We have the ability and resources to make clean energy a driving force of our economy and cost-effective for energy consumers.

New Mexico is taking the first steps toward the “power shift” by calling for major investments in clean energy like wind and solar in the Energy Transition Act, passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Lujan Grisham in March 2019. The law calls for our electricity to be carbon-free by 2045, one of the strongest standards in the country. Efforts are also underway to create clean cars standards to promote the deployment of electric vehicles in the state.  New Mexico is also staking out a leading role in limiting emission of methane from oil and gas production. Sharply reducing methane emissions is seen as one of the easiest and fastest ways to start stabilizing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and start capping global warming.

Reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas industry, capping orphaned wells, and installing solar and wind energy facilities can immediately employ oil and gas workers who are ready for a career transition. The creation of clean energy jobs, which are projected to grow faster than employment in other sectors, is supported by New Mexicans across the political spectrum. Diversifying our energy economy will also encourage other economic drivers like our growing outdoor recreation industry, too.