Congress and POTUS need to get innovative and aggressive in addressing climate

Following the Supreme Court's litany of disastrous decisions this summer, the Court’s illegitimate extremist majority has now undermined all Americans’ access to a clean and safe environment with their West Virginia v. EPA decision. The ruling undermines federal climate action to boost fossil fuel companies’ profits. But the West Virginia decision is not the last word in the fight against climate pollution. The Biden administration and Congress can still wield a great number of policy tools to fight the climate crisis. You have the power to act on climate now. You must use it, and show the country you understand the stakes of this moment. Some things that ARE possible: Congress can get a reconciliation climate investment bill passed. President Biden can act quickly (working with Michael Regan) to set new rules to limit greenhouse gas emissions using EPA’s remaining authority and also develop new Clean Air Act standards to accelerate a nationwide transition to 100% zero-emission cars and trucks. President Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland can and should swiftly and legally phase out all new fossil fuel leasing on public lands and waters. President Biden and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Gary Gensler must finalize a strong climate disclosure rule that includes mandatory disclosure of Scope 3 emissions. President Biden and Administrator Regan must also develop new Clean Air Act standards to reduce hazardous pollutants, like nitrogen oxide (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), from building appliances. There are more ideas, but even the above would be a tremendous start. The stakes literally couldn’t be higher—we are talking about the survival of our planet and therefore our species. Please get to work. Thanks.

▶ Created on July 8, 2022 by Jess Craven