** Welcome to Climate Day
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Sunrise over Mount Rainier National Park, Joseph Gruber ([link removed]) , CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ([link removed])

Just one week into his presidency, President Joe Biden will sign a series of executive orders ([link removed]) transforming America’s approach to climate change. The orders put environmental justice at the forefront, investing in low-income and minority communities while hitting pause on oil and gas leasing ([link removed]) and committing America to protecting 30 percent of its land and water by the end of the decade.

The Washington Post reports that the climate orders will affect every facet of the Biden administration, creating an office of health and equity at the Health and Human Services Department, a new environmental justice office at the Justice Department, and a new White House interagency council on environmental justice.

The “30x30” commitment also marks a watershed moment for American conservation, with an acknowledgment from the president that land protection is key to stopping the intertwined climate and extinction crises.

“Now the hard work begins,” said Jennifer Rokala ([link removed]) , executive director at the Center for Western Priorities. “It’s going to take unprecedented partnerships between the U.S. government, states, cities, and private landowners to reach the 30×30 goal. It’s imperative that the Senate quickly confirm Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary and the rest of the Biden cabinet so they can lead America down this important path.”
Quick hits


** Biden to sign sweeping climate plan, pausing oil leasing but not drilling
------------------------------------------------------------

Washington Post ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Bloomberg ([link removed])


** Climate orders mark new battle lines in fight to save the planet
------------------------------------------------------------

New York Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | Bloomberg ([link removed])


** What the pause on leasing will mean for states with sputtering oil production
------------------------------------------------------------

Billings Gazette ([link removed]) | KUER ([link removed]) | Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])


** Oil, mining opposition to Haaland nomination grows vocal as more Native Americans join Biden administration
------------------------------------------------------------

E&E News ([link removed]) | Native News Online ([link removed])


** After a decades-long fight, tribal nations reclaim the National Bison Range
------------------------------------------------------------

High Country News ([link removed])


** Coal companies keep leaving messes, skipping out on royalties owed to taxpayers
------------------------------------------------------------

Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | Wyofile ([link removed])


** How Biden can strengthen the National Park Service
------------------------------------------------------------

Outside Online ([link removed])


** Mayor of Aztec, NM: Time to fix the broken oil and gas leasing system
------------------------------------------------------------

Santa Fe New Mexican ([link removed]) (Opinion)
Quote of the day
A pause on leasing is just the first step, however. Now it’s up to the Interior Department and Congress to craft new rules and legislation that ensures America’s public lands are part of the climate solution, instead of part of the problem.”
—Jesse Prentice-Dunn, Center for Western Priorities ([link removed])
Picture this


** @mypubliclands ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Heading outdoors to enjoy nature this weekend? Please #RecreateResponsibly ([link removed]) ! Find a spot close to home to #SlowtheSpread ([link removed]) of #COVID19 ([link removed]) and keep a safe distance from those outside of your immediate household especially in parking lots, trailheads & other facilities. Be sure to check if the recreation site you're planning on visiting is open and have a back-up plan in case it’s too crowded. 📸Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area; Bob Wick, BLM.

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.

Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])