Secretary Serena McIlwain and Governor Wes Moore hosted an Electric Vehicle event at MDE headquarters in March.
Maryland has set the most aggressive GHG emissions reduction goals in the nation. Under the Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA) of 2022, a target has been established at 60% (over the 2006 level) by 2031 and net-zero emissions by 2045. MDE has been working with the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland on a conceptual roadmap to reach our climate goals.
Read "Maryland's Climate Pathway Report."
MDE will conduct public outreach sessions around the state and online this summer and fall on the policies to include in Maryland’s GHG Emissions Reduction Plan, which will be published in December.
Temperature change in Maryland since 1895
Courtesy of Professor Ed Hawkins, University of Reading
The main cause of climate change is human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. The Maryland Department of the Environment's (MDE) Climate Change Program is leading the state's efforts to reduce GHG emissions while creating jobs and benefiting the economy as required by state law. Although many initiatives throughout the State contribute to these efforts, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the Commission on Climate Change are key efforts by MDE, each of which can be explored further by following the navigational links on top, left-hand side of this page.
In November 2018, a federal report advised that "climate change is affecting the natural environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation, and human health and welfare across the U.S. and its territories." The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is warning that the world has no more than a year or two to see meaningful improvement in GHG emissions to avoid more drastic impacts of climate change.
With 3,100 miles of shoreline, Maryland is the fourth most vulnerable state to suffer the effects of sea-level rise associated with climate change. Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity could have devastating and far-reaching impacts on the Atlantic coast and the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem that affect the environmental, recreational, and economic benefits enjoyed by Marylanders and visitors. Although Maryland's coastal areas may be considered particularly vulnerable, all areas of the state are at risk. In general, climate change alters the severity, frequency, or distribution of existing issues that are impacted either directly or indirectly by temperature and precipitation. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Impacts on coastal, bay, and inland water quality parameters that may change the viable uses of surface water, such as for irrigation, recreation, or human consumption. MDE's Water and Science Administration's Climate Adaptation Goals and Strategies are available here.
Human health issues, including those affected by impacts on food and water supply, air quality, and extreme weather events.
A higher probability of negative outcomes for disadvantaged communities and individuals inherently more sensitive or with a reduced adaptive capacity for responding to the impacts of climate change.
- More frequent disruptions to urban and coastal infrastructure in Maryland caused by extreme weather events and sea-level rise impact the economy of the region by restricting the flow of goods and affecting days worked;
- Common stressors experienced among ecosystems, agriculture, fisheries, and forests such as those caused by general changes in temperature and precipitation regimes; increased extreme weather events; and increased pressures from weeds, diseases, and pests.
This site was created and is maintained by susan.casey1@maryland.gov
