Talking Points: Climate Change

*Background — Significance of the Issue.

*For a Definition of Climate Change and the Significance of Climate Change, click here.

*Talking Points

-Inflation Reduction Act. In 2022, the Democrats were able to pass the Inflation Reduction Act which has substantial provisions for dealing with climate change. It is the largest single step that Congress has ever taken to address climate change. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) builds on the initial climate funding opportunities passed into law in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to support projects across electric vehicle (EV) charging, power infrastructure and climate resilience. For a summary of the IRA measure, click here.

Biden Administration’s Focus on Clean Energy. On January 29,2021 President Biden created the first-ever National Climate Task Force, with more than 25 Cabinet-level leaders from across agencies working together. This federal mobilization, building on the leadership of states, Tribal Nations, and local governments, has already spurred historic progress:

  • The United States set records for clean energy deployment in 2021, bringing enough new solar and wind projects online to power 10 million homes and tripling utility-scale battery storage capacity.
  • Since President Biden took office, the two-millionth electric vehicle hit the road, companies announced investments of over $100 billion dollars in American EV manufacturing, and the rate of public EV charger installation nearly doubled.
  • Major climate “firsts” included the Administration’s approval of the first commercial-scale offshore wind project in federal waters, the first commercial flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel flying from Chicago to DC, and U.S. steel and cement companies committing for the first time to reach net-zero emissions no later than 2050.  
  • Clean energy is by far the biggest job creator in America’s energy sector, with over 3 million Americans employed in clean energy jobs during 2021 earning wages 25% over the national median.
  • On the international stage, President Biden worked with E.U. counterparts to rally more than 100 countries to join the Global Methane Pledge, a new partnership to reduce super-polluting methane emissions 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.

Trump Presidency: Threat to Survival on Planet Earth. An editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer explains how devastating another the Trump presidency would be to all of us. To read the editorial, click here.

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