Climate change requires a leader like Mike Bloomberg in the Oval Office | Opinion

Climate change requires a leader like Mike Bloomberg in the Oval Office | Opinion

Plenty of candidates talk about what they're going to do, but Mike Bloomberg is positioned to talk about what he has done.

Robert B. Allen | Guest columnist

In recent weeks, horrifying images of fleeing animals and burning homes have flooded news outlets across the world.

Let's be clear. These wildfires aren't random events, nor are they solely the fault of arsonists. According to the State of the Climate report published by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, climate change intensifies and increases the risk of dangerous fires.

But climate change also presents perils much closer to home.

A hotter South

The climate outlook for the South is bleak, according to the Knoxville-based Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. The number of days hotter than 90 degrees has increased by 10 since 1989, and the National Climate Assessment predicts much of the Southeast will experience a climate akin to Florida's within the next 20 years. As a result, livestock and crops will suffer and the risk for wildfire will increase, posing a significant threat in Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains.

As a long-time environmental activist and land-use, conservation and planning professional, I know we can't overstate the impact of climate change.

Many Democratic presidential hopefuls have presented plans to address climate change, but only one has proven record of solving this crisis long before announcing their candidacy – that's Mike Bloomberg.

As mayor of New York City, Mike championed reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency, improving public transportation and moving the city's vehicle fleet toward becoming entirely electric or hybrid by 2024. New York City reduced emissions by 14% during his time as mayor, a rate nearly double the national rate for the same time period.

New York City and beyond

But his actions extend well beyond New York. Since 2005, Mike's been a leader of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, an organization of 90 large cities that works to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and deliver on the other commitments of the Paris Agreement on climate.

That's the kind of action we need from our leaders. Plenty of candidates talk about what they're going to do, but Mike is positioned to talk about what he has done.

After President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, Mike launched "America's Pledge" and rallied a diverse coalition of states, cities, businesses and universities to uphold our nation's commitment to the world. Mike also donated $10 million to the United Nations to make up for the U.S. shortfalls caused by our withdrawal.

Mike has a proven environmental record, but he also has a plan for what's next. To reduce pollution from passenger cars and trucks, he will reinstate federal gas mileage and pollution standards and reaffirm states' rights to set higher standards. To make electric vehicles affordable for all families, he will lift the cap on those eligible for tax credits and offer financial assistance for some families.

Mike will also invest in transit and infrastructure for biking, walking and other mobility options by launching a competitive grant program for 10 large and 10 small communities to pilot groundbreaking innovations like car-free zones and superblocks.

We can't afford another four years of a president in denial. Climate change requires a leader who has not only a proven record of success, but also a plan that builds on that record. That leader is Mike Bloomberg.

Robert B. Allen is a resident of Nashville and a long-time environmental activist and land-use, conservation and planning professional. He retired from state government after a 33-year career as a conservation planner with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and served as director of Tennessee's Scenic Rivers Program.