The verdict of science is clear: climate change is real, and its consequences are undeniable.  Rising seas, savage droughts, devastating wildfires and increasingly extreme and unpredictable weather patterns are impacting every nation on every continent – and communities across America are already feeling the effects. 

Democrats know that combatting the existential threat of the climate crisis is a public health decision to safeguard our clean air and clean water; an economic decision to create jobs and ensure America’s global preeminence in green technology; a national security decision to prevent global instability; and a moral decision to be good stewards of God’s creation. 

That is why House Democrats crafted the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis’s Solving the Climate Crisis Action Plan: a roadmap to build a clean energy economy that values workers, creates good-paying jobs, advances environmental justice, and is prepared to meet the challenges of the climate crisis.  At the same time, Democrats passed H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, that makes a strong down payment in a clean energy future, as we create millions of good-paying, union jobs and rebuild our highways, bridges, transit, rail, airports, ports and harbors to improve safety, reduce gridlock and put America on a path to zero pollution.  House Democrats also passed H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, which required the Trump Administration to remain in the Paris Climate Accord and to develop a serious plan for how the United States will meet its commitment to reduce pollution and protect our planet. 

As one of his first actions, President Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement and re-engaged with the global community on the urgent priority of fighting the climate crisis.  Together with the Biden-Harris Administration and the new Senate Democratic Majority, House Democrats will work to Build Back Better: rebuilding America with clean energy, smart technology and resilient infrastructure. We will lead our country into future frontiers with bold, job-creating investments in advanced energy research and efficiency.  We will build the green infrastructure of the future with permanent clean energy tax credits that keep up with the rapid pace of technological progress and bring broadband to every corner of America.  And we will hold dirty polluters accountable for contaminating our children’s clean water and clean air.

For Democrats, combatting the climate crisis is not an issue – it is a moral imperative that compels us to act to create the good-paying jobs of the future and protect the people and places we love.