This Earth Day, we celebrate President Biden’s announcement of the United States’ ambitious new goal of achieving a 50-52% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. On day one of the new administration, President Biden fulfilled his promise to rejoin the Paris Agreement. This nationally determined contribution (NDC) will help get the U.S. on track to meet Paris Agreement targets and build a brighter future.
It is imperative that we reduce pollution, strive for environmental justice, and address the climate crisis. This emissions target is an important step toward that goal and we are thankful that President Biden, National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry are actively working to secure a better future.
As young Christians, we know that we don’t have time to wait. The science is clear and the need is urgent. Our neighbors around the world and in the U.S. are already suffering from the weight of the climate crisis and the U.S. has a moral obligation to respond with love and boldness. Our leaders have the responsibility and opportunity to create good-paying jobs, invest in clean energy, and address historic and ongoing economic and racial injustice. We cannot let this moment go to waste. YECA is committed to holding our leaders accountable and working together with those who are ready and eager to act on the climate crisis.
Achieving this goal and continuing the work of climate justice will require cooperation from all levels of government. We call on Congress to put partisan divides aside and rise to the occasion by upholding justice and equity over the interests of fossil fuel companies and corporate polluters.
