As climate disasters, economic inequity, and environmental injustice continue to plague communities across the country, it’s more important than ever for Congress to stay focused and get the job done by making unprecedented investments to secure our future and our climate. By seizing this moment, we can unleash transformational change to combat the climate crisis, rehabilitate our economy, both local and national, and build more resilient and more equitable communities.
This is our moment to go bold and set a path toward a cleaner, safer, healthier world that will protect our families and future generations from the most severe consequences of climate disruption. It’s clear that the bipartisan package by itself is incapable of addressing the climate crisis we’re facing in our communities across the country. That’s why I urge Democrats in Congress like Sen. Jon Hickenlooper and Sen. Michael Bennet to lend their support for the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill that invests in climate, infrastructure and human infrastructure. The bill must include a clean energy payment program, clean energy tax incentives, a Civilian Climate Corps and a program for electrification of buildings across the country.
Only by passing a bill that includes bold climate action will Congress deliver on President Joe Biden’s justice-centered climate change goals of 80% clean electricity and 50% economy-wide carbon emission reductions by 2030, all while creating good jobs. It is imperative to revitalize America’s aging infrastructure, lessen economic and environmental inequalities and jumpstart our transition to clean energy and electric vehicles. Nothing less will do.
Lissa Ray
Durango
