President Biden has prioritized addressing the climate crisis, emphasizing the urgency highlighted by scientific research. His approach centers on developing a clean energy economy, aiming to reduce costs for families, create well-paying jobs, and ensure healthier environments.
From the beginning of his presidency, Biden has taken significant steps. He rejoined the Paris Agreement to restore the U.S.'s global leadership role in climate action. He also established the first National Climate Task Force, engaging over 25 top-level officials across various agencies to work towards ambitious goals:
Cutting U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% from 2005 levels by 2030
Achieving 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035
Reaching a net-zero emissions economy by 2050
Allocating 40% of federal climate and clean energy investment benefits to disadvantaged communities
The Biden-Harris Administration's decisive measures aim to lower emissions, bolster resilience, promote environmental justice, and secure true energy independence. This federal initiative complements efforts by states, Tribal Nations, and local governments, leading to remarkable achievements:
In 2021, the U.S. set records in clean energy deployment, with new solar and wind projects sufficient to power 10 million homes, and a tripling in utility-scale battery storage capacity.
The nation saw its three-millionth electric vehicle (EV) on the roads, 135,000 EV chargers installed, and over $110 billion invested in EV and battery manufacturing, building the capacity to supply 13 million EVs annually.
Notable climate milestones included the greenlighting of the first commercial-scale offshore wind project in federal waters, the inaugural flight powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel from Chicago to Washington D.C., and U.S. steel and cement firms committing to net-zero emissions by 2050.
The clean energy sector, the largest job creator in the U.S. energy domain, employed over 3 million Americans in 2021, offering wages 25% higher than the national median.
On the international front, President Biden collaborated with European Union counterparts, persuading over 100 countries to join the Global Methane Pledge. This initiative targets a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030, compared to 2020 levels.
The Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in August 2022, stands as a landmark U.S. legislation for combating the climate crisis and bolstering American energy independence. It is projected to lower household energy expenses, generate millions of jobs in manufacturing clean energy technologies, and advance environmental justice. This act, along with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, formulates the core of Biden's strategy for climate change, environmental justice, and job creation.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law introduces unprecedented funding for enhancing the power grid, upgrading public transit systems, expanding zero-emission vehicles, establishing a nationwide EV charging network, cleaning up environmental pollutants, replacing lead pipes, and ensuring clean water supply. It also focuses on strengthening national resilience against climate-related disasters, which caused over $145 billion in damages from the top 20 events in the previous year.
President Biden urges Congress to support climate action by offering clean energy investments and tax credits. These initiatives aim to reduce the costs of EVs, weatherize homes and businesses, and potentially save American families an average of $500 annually. Biden's continued leadership in this area seeks to expedite the shift to clean energy and protect citizens from fluctuations in fossil fuel prices.