On Tuesday, August 16, President Biden signed into law a major climate change bill. Now what?
Environmental justice leaders in the United Church of Christ and its partner organizations are answering that question. During a recent monthly Creation Justice webinar, several experts shared insights and action steps that anyone can take. (Webinars are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 1 pm. More info here.)
Earlier this month the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the House approved the legislation. The bill includes about $370 billion to reduce emissions and promote clean energy.
“The IRA is ... a good thing because the main benefit is it gives us resources to really address some of our macro-level problems when it comes to reducing emissions,” said Thaddaeus Elliott, justice and peace policy fellow in the UCC Washington, D.C., office. However, each of the panelists warned that the IRA is merely a first step in the right direction. Anyone invested in environmental justice must keep pushing for further action not settle for compromise.
Those most impacted by environmental risks, such as poor people or communities of color in the South, need much more support. The bill doesn’t stop an overreliance on fossil fuels and other environmental hazards that primarily impact people in marginalized communities. Speaking up, the panelists said, is key to promoting legislation and policies rooted in environmental justice.
“In addition to the legislature, we need to be calling on the president to do a heck of a lot more,” said Andy Wells-Bean, UCC environmental justice fellow. “… We have legislation, but it is not nearly what we need to meet the climate and environmental justice crises.”
While the political process may be slow, Elliott emphasized the importance of staying engaged, such as through voting. He also requested that individuals “signal boost” the Environmental Justice For All Act. That proposed legislation attempts to address environmental racism by bolstering existing laws and directing federal agencies on policies regarding oversight, regulations, research and data. Even though Congress is unlikely to pass it, its message is important.
“It’ll at least be another kind of motivating factor for those of us in the environmental (justice) space going into election season to get riled up and kind of motivated to stay in the fight,” he said.
He and Wells-Bean shared links for two different campaigns from the UCC: a call for environmental justice, urging lawmakers to support the Environmental Justice for All Act, and a pledge to vote on election day.
Viewers can join Creation Justice webinars on the second Wednesday of each month at 1 pm. To learn more, visit the UCC Environmental Justice Ministries webpage.