Climate change task force proposed

A new task force would create a strategic plan related to the impacts of climate change on the health and well being of Nebraskans under a bill heard Feb. 3 by the Health and Human Services Committee.

LB802, introduced by Malcolm Sen. Ken Haar, would create the Health Climate Resiliency Task Force. Voting members would be appointed by the chairpersons of the Agriculture, Appropriations, Education, Health and Human Services and Natural Resources committees of the Legislature. Nonvoting members would include agency directors and representatives of institutions that deal with issues related to health or climate impacts.

Haar said he is optimistic that Nebraskans see the need to plan for climate change and to find ways to lessen the impact on residents’ health. A recent survey found that 61 percent of Nebraskans believe that the state needs a climate action plan, he said.

“LB802 is a call to planning, using the best science that we can,” Haar said.

The plan would include measurable goals and benchmarks for adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts. Recommendations for policies and programs that support the goals and benchmarks would be provided, including recommendations for legislation and funding.

The task force would submit the strategic plan to the governor and Legislature by Dec. 15, 2016.

Glynnis Collins, representing Audubon Nebraska, testified in support of the bill, saying the task force would draw on the expertise of many sectors to ensure the future health of the state’s citizens and economy.

“Nebraska is blessed with abundant resources, human and natural,” she said. “In order to thrive in climate change, we must be proactive in safeguarding those resources for future generations.”

David Corbin, professor emeritus of public health at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, also supported the bill. Many reports and studies have been published on the connection between public health and climate change, he said.

“All of these reports recommend that policies be made on the local and national level and that planning should be a part of it—which is what this bill would allow for,” Corbin said.

No one testified in opposition to LB802 and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.