As we usher in a new year, I want to wish you a happy, healthy, and hopeful 2026.
A new year invites reflection. And it calls us forward. There is no question that climate change continues to test our systems, our communities, and our resources, no matter how many people want to deny it. We see it in extreme weather. We feel it in rising costs. We experience it in the strain on our health, our homes, and our infrastructure.
The challenges are real. But so is our progress.
Even in a difficult fiscal and policy environment, Maryland is moving forward. We are strengthening climate resilience. We are advancing solutions that protect public health. And we are growing a clean energy economy that works for everyone.
That commitment was reinforced by a recent announcement from Governor Wes Moore and Comptroller Brooke Lierman to launch a comprehensive study on the true costs of climate change.
For the first time, Maryland will take a clear, data-driven look at the real price climate impacts are placing on our communities. From storm damage and flooding to extreme heat and health outcomes, this study will help us understand what Marylanders are already paying — and what inaction truly costs.
This matters because good data leads to better decisions.
This work is part of a broader, whole-of-government approach to confronting climate change head-on. One that lowers energy costs for families. Modernizes our energy systems. Improves water quality. Advances environmental justice. And protects Maryland’s natural resources for generations to come.
A new year reminds us that progress is possible when we lead together, when we follow the data, and when we stay focused on people.
We are facing climate change with clarity and courage. And we are building a safer, healthier, and more resilient Maryland — not someday, but now.
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