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Record high temperatures killed more than 100 people in Oregon. Wildfires decimated entire towns. A blizzard cut power for up to 4 days.
Climate change continues to accelerate faster that scientists predict. We should reduce global warming emissions at an alarming rate.
Instead, U.S. climate-damaging emission spiked in 2021. U.S. carbon emissions rose by more that 6% last year, primarily due a rise in coal-fired electricity plants and increased driving.
Though global warming pollution dropped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 shutdown, this most recent increase leaves the United States only about one-third of the way toward President Joe Biden’s goal of reaching 50% emissions reductions by 2030.
Scientists agree that it is essential to reduce the U.S.’s global warming pollution by half in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change. But, without bold climate action, it’s unlikely we’ll reach that goal. That doesn’t mean we can’t get there.
As part of the Build Back better Act, the House approved a record $555billion in funding for climate change. After months of stalled negotiations, we may finally have an opportunity to move this bill’s climate policies through the Senate.
Time is of the essence, so it’s imperative that Congress act now on this historic climate package to achieve the emissions reductions we need to maintain a safe climate.
This package should include tax credits for clean energy and electric cars. Not only have these policy tools been primarily responsible for advancing renewable energy growth and EV adoption in the U.S. for the last decade, but they’re also widely popular.
Oregon has seen a 2,736% rise in electricity it receives from the sun since 2011, thanks to strong and supportive policies. Additionally, proposed expansions to the electric vehicle tax credit will make these clean cars even more affordable for Americans, which is necessary to meet Oregon’s ambitious goal of having 90% of new car sales be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.
We have many more climate solutions available to us:
- Local and state greenhouse gas reductions programs will receive federal funding. This will enable local communities to lead the way in finding climate solutions that make most sense for them.
- In order to reduce energy consumption, consumers will be able to save money by receiving more rebates on residential energy efficiency projects.
- Our coastlines will be resilient for many more years by protecting natural carbon sinks such as forests.
It’s past time we put these climate-focused policies to use.
More than 40% of Americans were affected by a climate catastrophe in 2021. Extreme weather events will only get more common as the crisis continues. It’s time for Congress to get this widely popular climate package passed so we can accelerate our transition to clean energy.
It is the only way to ensure a living future.
Jessie Kochaver is a climate associate for Environment Oregon, organizing volunteers and educating and engaging Oregonians on climate change. You can reach her at [email protected]
