North Carolina lawmaker calls for action as state faces increasing storm risks
The recent devastation of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina has reignited a critical conversation about climate change and preparedness. While many are pushing for stronger actions to combat climate change and protect communities, state and federal lawmakers have been slow to respond. Among the most vocal advocates for change is State Representative Pricey Harrison, a long-time champion for climate action and disaster preparedness.
A Climate Crisis in Plain Sight
Hurricane Helene left a path of destruction, bringing the reality of climate change and its impacts directly to the doorstep of North Carolinians. As storm systems become more intense and frequent due to warming temperatures, the need for comprehensive action is becoming more pressing. However, North Carolina’s Republican leadership has repeatedly blocked efforts to combat these challenges.
For years, Rep. Harrison, who represents Guilford County, has pushed for stronger climate policies and disaster preparedness measures, such as better building codes, more resilient infrastructure, and programs to help vulnerable communities. Her advocacy, however, has often been met with resistance, as state Republican lawmakers have routinely vetoed such measures. It’s a situation that has left many frustrated but also determined to push forward in the face of climate adversity.
“The problem we’re facing is not just the aftermath of these storms, it’s the fact that we’ve had years of inaction when it comes to building a system that can withstand them,” Harrison said in an interview with Newsline back in October. She added that Hurricane Helene could be a wake-up call, urging her colleagues to finally take the climate crisis seriously.
The Roadblocks in North Carolina’s State Legislature
For many, the issue boils down to political will—or the lack thereof. In the face of increasingly frequent storms and natural disasters, Rep. Harrison’s efforts to pass legislation designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change have been repeatedly thwarted. One of the most striking examples is how Republican lawmakers have repeatedly overridden vetoes from Governor Roy Cooper, blocking proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in clean energy, and create stronger climate resilience strategies.
This pattern of resistance has left many wondering how much longer the state can ignore the mounting evidence of climate change. If the most recent hurricane was a reminder of what’s at stake, why does the state legislature remain so divided on the issue?
“It’s incredibly frustrating,” Harrison said. “We have a climate crisis, and instead of responding with urgency, too many of my colleagues refuse to even acknowledge that. They continue to block policies that would make our state safer.”
Advocates and Experts Push for Action
Despite the political hurdles, there’s been no shortage of advocates pushing for action on climate change. Experts have long identified policies that could help protect communities from the worst effects of extreme weather, and many of those recommendations are already gaining traction in other states.
Among the most vocal proponents of action in North Carolina are environmental groups, scientists, and community leaders, all of whom agree that the state must act now to prepare for more frequent and severe storms. These groups have long advocated for:
- Stronger building codes that can withstand extreme weather.
- Investments in renewable energy sources like solar and wind to reduce the state’s carbon footprint.
- Programs to help vulnerable populations prepare for and respond to storms, particularly those in coastal and rural areas.
- Flood mitigation measures that address the growing risks of flooding from rising sea levels and more intense rainfall events.
By supporting these measures, Harrison believes North Carolina could become a leader in climate resilience, but only if lawmakers act swiftly and with purpose.
Hope for Change Amidst the Crisis
Rep. Harrison is not giving up on her efforts to bring about climate action, despite the ongoing resistance. In fact, she sees hope in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has brought new attention to the issues at hand.
“There’s a real opportunity here,” she explained. “People are finally waking up to the fact that these storms are not just a one-off event. They’re part of a larger trend, and we have to start acting like it.”
While the path forward may not be easy, Harrison remains optimistic. She’s hopeful that as the impacts of climate change continue to grow, more lawmakers will understand the urgency and necessity of taking action. And with the support of her colleagues in the environmental advocacy community, she believes North Carolina can be better prepared for future storms—and, more importantly, can help curb the impacts of climate change moving forward.
The question now is whether state leaders will rise to the occasion or continue to let the climate crisis worsen. The answer may well lie in how quickly they react to the lessons of Hurricane Helene.
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