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Just one week into his presidency, President Joe Biden will sign a series of executive orders 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 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, 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.”
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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.”
