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According to reporting by the Washington Post, President Biden will pledge to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030—an ambitious goal that represents a near-doubling of the target agreed to in the Paris Accord. The move comes as Biden convenes a major international climate summit later this week.
Cutting emissions in half by the end of this decade will require significant changes—and present significant opportunities—throughout the country, including on public lands. According to government scientists, fossil fuels extracted from our public lands account for nearly one-quarter of all U.S. emissions.
In its three months in office, the Biden administration has already temporarily paused new oil and gas leasing on public lands while evaluating major reforms, revoked Trump-era policies designed to dramatically expand new drilling, and moved to reinstate protections for multiple national monuments and wildlife refuges.
Going forward, Interior Secretary Haaland is hoping to prioritize climate action in next year's federal budget. Yesterday, Haaland appeared before Congressional budget writers to advocate for an ambitious budget that would boost funding for renewable energy development, establish a Civilian Climate Corps, and employ drilling workers to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells.
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The long term forecast based on what we’re seeing in the weather patterns shows no relief in the near future. I’m fearful this will be the entire summer. One good rain even could turn things around, but I’m not banking on that.”
