The UUSJ Environmental Action Team has adopted priorities for 2021 that call for bold action to address the full scope of the climate crisis. The priorities point to the need for Congress and the Executive Branch to take needed steps to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 1.5 degrees Celsius and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. At the same time, the Team’s priorities this year strongly focus on addressing persistent racial and economic disparities.

Specifically, they:

• Prioritize alleviating income inequality, wage stagnation, the historical impacts of racism, the needs of sovereign Indian Nations, and communities shifting from a fossil fuel-based economy.
• Prioritize the needs (including physical and mental health) of vulnerable at-risk, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in communities historically burdened by unhealthy air, contaminated water, and other types of pollution and have lacked access to parks and natural areas.
• Promote the vigorous enforcement of clean air and water standards, and the conservation of public lands, the oceans, and natural ecosystems
• Recognize the value of natural ecosystems, as well as farming and agricultural practices in addressing the climate crisis.
• Ensure the United States supports the efforts of developing countries to fight the climate crisis, acknowledging this country’s disproportionate contribution to current carbon dioxide levels.
• Accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy and workforce with support and training for well-paying jobs.
• Invest in green infrastructure, transportation systems, climate adaptation, and resilience.

These priorities reflect many of the promises announced by the new Administration. For instance, one of the climate-related Executive Orders issued last month pledges to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of relevant federal investments and purchases to disadvantaged communities and launches a scorecard to track progress. The Action Team will be monitoring progress and holding the Administration accountable. But the biggest challenge is likely convincing a badly-divided Congress to incorporate these priorities into lasting legislation.

Interested in learning more? Contact Convenor, David Shilton.