Learn more about the big, bold climate investments we need Congress to pass RIGHT NOW!
As we saw in 2021, scorching heat waves broke records and took lives across the US, as did wildfires, hurricanes and drought. These climate disasters have continued in 2022.
We need President Biden and Democrats in Congress to meet this moment with bold action for climate, jobs, and justice. Our challenge is very clear: to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the global community must cut greenhouse gas pollution in half by 2030, and eliminate carbon pollution by mid-century.
There is a bill in Congress right now, the Inflation Reduction Act, which will deliver the progress we need.
Now, it's up to us to make sure our leaders deliver.
Key climate investments in the Inflation Reduction Act:
Clean building investments are essential to upgrade and electrify our nation’s buildings, which are a significant source of pollution. Congress should provide funding for rebate programs that lower the upfront cost of zero-emission appliances–– like induction stoves and heat pumps–– and other electrification technologies, and create incentives for whole-home retrofits. To learn more about electrifying buildings and households, click here.
Clean transportation investments will help us decarbonize the transportation sector, the most polluting sector in the economy. Congress must pass electric vehicle tax credits to help Americans buy clean vehicles and make big investments in public transit. These investments will help American manufacturers corner the global market for clean cars and help reduce climate-warming emissions. To learn more about clean transportation investments, click here.
Clean power sector investments are necessary for a just, equitable, and effective path to 100% clean electricity. These investments include clean electricity tax incentives, updating and enforcing Clean Air Act standards, and funding for deploying more distributed renewable energy, transmission, and smart grid technologies. To learn more about building a clean power grid, click here.
Supporting clean and competitive American industries will ensure good jobs and U.S. economic competitiveness. Capturing the global markets of the 21st century requires investing in decarbonizing existing industrial operations and rapidly expanding manufacturing of new advanced clean technologies. To learn more about clean manufacturing and industrial decarbonization, click here.
Investing in agricultural innovations and rural communities will create both economic opportunity and promote environmental protection. Rebuilding long-term agricultural trading partnerships, protecting farm workers’ rights, electrifying rural communities, and diversifying rural economies will ensure that farmers and ranchers benefit financially and ecologically from the positive impact their crops and farming practices provide. To learn more about investing in agriculture, click here.
Addressing economic, environmental and racial injustice is necessary to build an inclusive clean energy economy. Congress must support the frontline, low-income, Black, brown, Indigenous and other communities color who are hit first and worst by the climate crisis, pollution, and economic disinvestment. They can achieve this through policies including equity impact mapping, Clean Water for All initiatives, and pollution-free communities targets. To learn more about environmental justice, click here.
Creating high quality union jobs and a clean economy workforce must be at the heart of any plan to invest in climate solutions. New policies must empower workers in every industry with tools to collectively bargain, challenge racial and gender inequality, and close the gap between wealth and poverty. New clean energy investments coupled with high standards for both job quality and environmental accountability can lay a foundation for a renewed commitment to worker justice, fair wages, and benefits that lift up workers, communities, and the economy. To learn more about building a clean, thriving, and fair economy, click here.
Leading in clean technology innovation is a crucial step in addressing climate change while placing US industries at the forefront of clean technology innovation. Congress should pursue a suite of strong, new scientific and research initiatives to bolster clean energy deployment and sustain a decade long climate mission. To learn more about clean technology, click here.
Reining in reckless, high-carbon investments on Wall Street and requiring banks to prepare for the risks associated with climate change will help the federal government prevent a climate crash. Moving away from risky investments will empower the financial sector to be a driver in the clean energy transition. To learn more about climate finance, click here.
Leading globally on climate action. The US must lead on climate action globally by implementing bold and ambitious climate policies at home. We have a responsibility to use every tool in foreign policy: diplomacy, finance, trade, aid, and assistance in order to mobilize a global effort to combat the climate crisis and promote stability amidst climate disruption. To learn more about global climate solutions, click here.