What Does a New President Mean for Climate? All Hands On Deck!
At midnight on Election Day 2020, the United States was officially removed from the Paris Climate Agreement. The absence of the US, the second largest polluter in the world with the largest economy, from this compact is bad news for climate change. Add to that the more than 125 air quality and environmental rules weakened or eliminated over the past four years meant that the future was looking bleak for our ability to prevent the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.
In contrast, President-Elect Biden has indicated that he will rejoin the Paris Agreement on his first day in office. He also has the most ambitious climate plan conceived by an elected president and has stated his commitment to restoring important regulations that reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. This is all good news, and it gives the world a fighting chance to do what scientists say we must — reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
However, the United States still does not have a climate majority in either the United States House of Representatives or the United States Senate. Neither Democrats nor Republicans are universally behind a leadership climate agenda. That means the road to sweeping climate legislation will be difficult, and the authority of a Biden Administration may be limited to executive action. Don’t get me wrong. A new Administration can accomplish A LOT, but reaching our climate targets will require action at every level.
States and Localities Have the Power for Swift Action
Federal action also takes time. With less than 10 years to reach our first ambitious target, we cannot wait to right the ship. States and localities must also act swiftly to reduce emissions. More than 3,000 states, cities, and businesses have set their own targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Together, they represent over half the US population and more than one-third of climate emissions.
This is also true for Virginia. The majority of Virginians live in urban and suburban communities, 89% of our population. Our communities have the power to make the most immediate reductions, and many localities are stepping up to the plate. Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Arlington, Alexandria, Blacksburg, Richmond, and Roanoke have all set climate goals, and the Commonwealth of Virginia made its own commitment to bold action on climate last year.
But ambitious climate goals are meaningless without action to achieve them. It’s time for localities to recognize their role in preventing a climate crisis and begin implementing strategies that will effectively complement State and Federal action and help prevent some of the damage. Setting leadership climate targets has become somewhat competitive among Virginia localities. Now we must make emissions reductions equally competitive.
We also cannot forget that the current and impending impacts of climate change will be felt at the community level. The elderly, children, unhoused populations, communities of color, immigrants, and economically disadvantaged residents of Virginia will continue to be disproportionately affected. Climate policy and planning priority should be given to strategies that meet the needs of these residents.
You Have A Role to Play
The swiftest action of all begins with you. No action on climate is more immediate than the one you take in your home and community. An overwhelming majority of Americans believe that climate change is real and they want to take action. They simply do not know where to begin. That’s where the team at the Community Climate Collaborative (C3) can help. Here are five things you can do today to do your part to address climate change.
Lead a team of your friends and neighbors in C3’s Home Energy Challenge. To date, more than 400 households have participated, reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 600 tons of carbon.
Ask your employer to join C3’s Better Business Challenge. 75 local businesses are currently competing to reduce emissions in their communities.
Be an advocate. Send an email to your local and state elected officials and ask for swift and comprehensive climate action.
Add Your Voice to C3’s letter to the City of Charlottesville asking to adopt a climate lens in its Comprehensive and Strategic Plans.
Support C3 with a gift today! Our work depends on people like you who want to accelerate local climate action. Help us keep the momentum going!
By combining federal, state, and local action on climate change with your action as an individual, we will have more than a fighting chance to reach our climate goals. We might just exceed our expectations. I’m ready to get to work. I hope you will join me.