What We’ve Accomplished Is A Mere Drop In The Ocean

Daily Action
Written By Dick Thompson

Despite Biden’s Historic Strides on Climate, We Are Still in Crisis

QUICK READ: Despite bold strides taken by the current administration on climate change, we are still in a crisis of epic proportions. We are asking President Biden to declare a climate emergency in order to promote urgent change through executive action.


CONTENTS:

BACKGROUND

Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act marked the biggest step forward on climate in history with $369 billion earmarked toward investment in renewable energy and the reduction of planet-heating emissions. Although the bill supports bold climate goals, we are still in a crisis of epic proportions.

The intensification of recent hurricane Ian is a sign of what we can expect to come without aggressive change through executive action now.

In just two days, Ian moved from a Category 1 storm to a dangerous hurricane just shy of a Category 5 with winds at 155mph. Moist air, low wind shear, and a warm ocean created a ferocious storm that was compounded further in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean where climate change  has already warmed ocean temperatures.

A November 2018 federal report stated that unless we effect significant changes in greenhouse emissions, the global temperature may increase as much as 9 degrees Fahrenheit by the century’s end with catastrophic consequences. 

If Biden declared a climate emergency, as have 39 countries and nearly 200 US cities and counties, he could immediately engage multiple actions to slow greenhouse gas production.
According to Oregon Representative Earl Blumenauer, “[p]eople want their expectations raised and they want something delivered.”

ACTION One: Call the Senate.

Script for Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While I am glad that the Inflation Reduction Act took a historic step in the right direction on climate change, I believe President Biden must declare a climate emergency immediately. The time to act is now. We need to prioritize renewable energy and end new fossil fuel leases on public lands.

SEN. WYDEN:

Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While I am glad that the Inflation Reduction Act took a historic step in the right direction on climate change, I believe President Biden must declare a climate emergency immediately. The time to act is now. We need to prioritize renewable energy and end new fossil fuel leases on public lands.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

While I am glad that the Inflation Reduction Act took a historic step in the right direction on climate change, I believe President Biden must declare a climate emergency immediately. The time to act is now. We need to prioritize renewable energy and end new fossil fuel leases on public lands.

ACTION TWO: Call the House.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While I am glad that the Inflation Reduction Act took a historic step in the right direction on climate change, I believe President Biden must declare a climate emergency immediately. The time to act is now. We need to prioritize renewable energy and end new fossil fuel leases on public lands.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While I am glad that the Inflation Reduction Act took a historic step in the right direction on climate change, I believe President Biden must declare a climate emergency immediately. The time to act is now. We need to prioritize renewable energy and end new fossil fuel leases on public lands.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While I am glad that the Inflation Reduction Act took a historic step in the right direction on climate change, I believe President Biden must declare a climate emergency immediately. The time to act is now. We need to prioritize renewable energy and end new fossil fuel leases on public lands.

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While I am glad that the Inflation Reduction Act took a historic step in the right direction on climate change, I believe President Biden must declare a climate emergency immediately. The time to act is now. We need to prioritize renewable energy and end new fossil fuel leases on public lands.

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While I am glad that the Inflation Reduction Act took a historic step in the right direction on climate change, I believe President Biden must declare a climate emergency immediately. The time to act is now. We need to prioritize renewable energy and end new fossil fuel leases on public lands.

ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.

GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.” 

FURTHER READING

Dick Thompson
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