President Biden whiffed on another prime opportunity to declare a climate emergency today.

Here's what happened: Amid all the self evident climate chaos of this summer — 110+ temps in the south and south west, 100+ degree water temperatures off the Florida keys, massive wildfires that blanket countries from Canada & the US to the UK in smoke, once-in-a-lifetime floods that happen every few years, and much, much more — all of which scientists have specifically attributed to climate change, President Biden called a pres conference at the White House to announce a major new initiative about the ongoing emergency. Climate advocates and members of Congress jumped – calling for national protections for workers facing extreme temperatures, more money for renewable energy and a just transition off fossil fuels, and most importantly, a climate emergency declaration.

But Biden missed the moment, again: President Biden announced a couple of milquetoast initiatives, most of which were already a part of the Inflation Reduction Act, including more temperature monitoring, forecasting, and a promise to "continue" treating the climate crisis like an emergency, even though he refuses to use that word.

It's none too early, but not yet too late for President Biden to declare a climate emergency. Sign now to tell President Biden to declare a climate emergency.

The planet is on fire. Sign now to tell Biden to declare a climate emergency.

Honestly, we can't think of anything more compelling than the fires, floods, heat waves, and global catastrophe unfolding all around us. But time could be on our side: The United nations has called for a massive climate ambition summit this September in New York City. We'll be there, and if we combine our advocacy with the unfolding climate chaos around us, this might be the perfect moment for Biden to declare a climate emergency.

Here's what should have happened today: President Biden can declare a climate emergency under the National Emergencies Act. That would give us the ability to reinstate the crude oil export ban, end new fossil fuel projects and drilling, redirect disaster relief funds toward distributed renewable energy construction in frontline communities, and marshal companies to fast-track renewable transportation and clean power generation. All while creating millions of high-quality union jobs.

Biden also has the power to deny approvals for any new fossil fuel projects, and mandate a phase out of fossil fuel production on federal lands and waters — two actions which scientists have stated are essential to staying under the global warming limit necessary to avoid the very worst of the climate catastrophes.

Sign here if you agree: Climate change is already an emergency – we need an emergency declaration to end the era of fossil fuels.

Thanks for taking action,

Drew and the 198 emergencies crew

Sources

https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-heat-wave-latest-forecast/story?id=101598235
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/25/florida-ocean-temperatures-hot-tub-extreme-weather
https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/26/americas/canada-wildfire-season-worst-2023/index.html
https://www.vermontpublic.org/live-updates/vermont-flooding-recovery-fema-roads-volunteers
https://www.reuters.com/world/climate-change-role-july-heatwaves-overwhelming-scientists-say-2023-07-25/
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/25/texas-heat-water-breaks-greg-casar/
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/in-letter-to-secretary-buttigieg-vermont-congressional-delegation-urges-u-s-department-of-transportation-to-activate-emergency-funds-for-vermont-flood-recovery-efforts/
https://www.commondreams.org/news/biden-climate-emergency
https://www.npr.org/2023/07/27/1190435892/biden-extreme-heat-climate
https://www.198methods.org/2023/07/25/meet-us-in-nyc-on-sept-17-for-the-march-to-end-fossil-fuels/
https://www.climatepresident.org/
https://www.198methods.org/2023/06/25/tell-president-biden-to-declare-a-climate-emergency-before-septembers-climate-ambition-summit/