The Biden Adminstration and Climate Change

On January 20th, 2021, the United States ushered in a new era with the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. While there is a lot of uncertainty clouding the country currently, Joe Biden has shared his plans for the future including his plans for battling climate change- both at home and internationally.

As international awareness on the issue of climate change rises, political leaders have been working to create and enforce legislation in order to control the damage being done to our planet.

Joe Biden is promising an ambitious strategy including refining and creating new legislation, investing in clean energy, and developing programs established during the Obama-Biden presidency.

However, if you have ever found yourself looking up Biden’s plan, you may find yourself overwhelmed as I did. So, let’s hit the high points to ensure you know what to expect over the next four years.

Biden’s Climate Plan

Biden’s climate plan has been broken into five large points:

1. “Ensure the U.S. achieves a 100% clean energy economy and reaches net-zero emissions no later than 2050. “
2. “Build a stronger, more resilient nation.”
3. “Rally the rest of the world to meet the threat of climate change.”
4. “Stand up to the abuse of power by polluters who disproportionately harm communities of color and low-income communities.”
5. “Fulfill our obligation to workers and communities who powered our industrial revolution and subsequent decades of economic growth.”

Point #1

This point discusses how Biden plans to improve and implement more energy efficient technology, homes, industries, and automobilies. In the hopes of having the United States reach net-zero emmisions by 2050, the Biden Administration plans on investing $1.7 trillion over the next ten years. Biden has indicated that he plans on funneling this money into United States companies in order to also expand the job market as well as the economy.

The Biden Administration is also planning on further developing the Clean Air Act, in order to address the world’s current state,  perminantly protecting wildlife such as the Arctic National Wildlife Result that was opened up to industries by the Trump Administration, and targeting carbon emissions at the source as well as through scientific advancements such as Carbon Capture and Sequestration programs.

Finally, the Biden Administration plans on creating the ARPA-C. The ARPA-C will be established as “a new, cross-agency Advanced Research Projects Agency focused on climate” and will work to create technologies to achieve Biden’s 100% clean energy target.

Point #2

This point deals with economic growth and the United State’s infrastructure. Biden has even commented that, “(Biden) will commit that every infrastructure investment that receives federal funding should reduce climate pollution, as much as possible.”

Under this point, Biden has also developed the Clean Energy Revolution legislative package. This package will include honing climate agenda with prominent climate scientists, creating environmental jobs, and fixing insurances infrastructures (a topic covered in The Water Will Come).

Point #3

One of the most promising aspects of the Biden plan is the president’s commitment to rejoining the Paris Agreement. President Trump retracted the United States from the Paris Agreement during his presidency, earning praise from some at home but disapproval from many others. (If you are unsure of the content of the Paris Agreement, check out Take a Glance at Legislation)

President Biden has promised to rejoin the Paris Agreement his first day in office. Rejoining this agreement will hold the United States accountable for pursuing lower carbon emissions as well as developing new programs to implement at home and over seas.

This point also discusses joining into other previously established international legislation, such as an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, holding China accountable for their use of coal, and deal with the economic side of climate change by allowing new funding as well as retracting funding.

Finally, this point discusses how climate change and bolstering national security go hand in hand.

Point #4

The fourth point discusses the issue of climate justice as, stated by the Biden Administration, “the impacts – on health, economics, and overall quality of life – are far more acute on communities of color, tribal lands, and low-income communities.” Air and water quality and rising water levels among other issues threaten individuals of these communities- not only their homes, but also their lives.

The Biden Administration has promised to reinstate federal policies that were rolled back by the Trump Adminstration, according to their website. President Biden also plans on cracking down on pollution infractions by large industries and companies through stricter enforcements from the EPA and the Justice Department. Finally, President Biden is working towards finally ensuring that all Americans have access to clean drinking water.

Point #5

In his final point, Presiden Biden is expanding on the Obama Adminstration’s work to support coal and nuclear energy employees. While coal must be phased out in favor of cleaner energy, coal miners and adjunct employees still need to be supported as their livelihood typically depends on coal mining.

The Biden Administration plans on making sure that coal miners and their families receive the full extent of their benefits as well as investing in the communities which depend on coal mining.

What You Can Do

While the Biden Administration’s plan to deal with climate change sounds extremely promising, we must remember that it is extremely ambitious. However, that does not mean that Americans should let this new Administration slack or not keeps its commitment to fighting climate change.

Continue to inform yourself about updates in the Biden Administration’s plans- whether they are developments on promised actions or new proposals! Also, make sure that your voice is heard. There are constant online petitions as well as the choice to write congress representitives.

Of course, the best case is always to be and stay informed. Check out the Biden Administration’s webpage and watch their short video, both of which are linked below.

Expand Your Horizons

Biden Administration’s Climate Plan