Anya Fetcher
Environment Maine
WASHINGTON — President Joseph Biden released a far-reaching plan Wednesday that outlines the actions his administration will take to tackle climate change both domestically and internationally. With the scientific target squarely in focus — reaching net zero emissions by 2050 in order to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius — the new administration laid out elements of a roadmap for the nation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in sectors across society, from agriculture to manufacturing.
Notably, today’s announcements included the creation of a National Climate Task Force, which will bring together 21 federal agencies to work on ambitious domestic pollution reduction goals. The group will be chaired by White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy. The executive orders also emphasized science in policy making at federal agencies; recommitted the United States to international climate leadership, including hosting a global summit on Earth Day, April 22; and preserved public lands and oceans by pausing oil and gas leases on federal lands.
Environment Maine issued the following statement:
“Mainers have been working for years to move our country to cleaner and healthier energy sources like wind and solar,” said Anya Fetcher, Environment Maine State Director. “But time is running out, and what’s seemed like a marathon for so many must now become a sprint. Thankfully, President Biden’s bold and ambitious climate action plan is the type of galvanizing vision that can get us moving faster toward a better future for ourselves and our grandchildren. We are grateful to the Biden administration for taking this kind of leadership on climate action within a week of entering office, and we are excited that Maine’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis will, once again, have support at the federal level.”