Looking ahead: 2023 environmental priorities

A glance at Environment America’s, 30 state environmental groups’ plans to protect and preserve nature, mitigate climate change, minimize pollution

DENVER – Each new year rings in a new chance to build a better world. In 2023, as they have for decades, Environment America and 30 affiliated state environmental groups will lead many of these efforts. 

“Environment America’s staff and members have been protecting the air, water and land for more than 50 years now,” said Environment America President Wendy Wendlandt. “Our advocates and members aren’t resting on their laurels though. It’s time to roll up our sleeves further and ratchet up the pressure to move away from fossil fuels to cleaner technologies that can help thwart the worst effects of climate change and that won’t pollute the world around us.”

Below are Environment America’s priority campaigns for 2023 and beyond. Please contact us for data, context or quotes on any of the issues listed below.

Federal

Clean energy tax credits: Ensure that Americans make use of the Inflation Reduction Act’s unprecedented array of incentives for electric vehicles, rooftop solar, heat pumps, electric water heaters and home appliances, and more—thus delivering the massive reduction in climate emissions that the law intends.

Restore Environmental Protections: Restore fundamental environmental protections rolled back during the previous administration, such as the Roadless Rule protecting the Tongass National Forest.

Turn Off the Tap on Toxic Pollution: Pursue congressional and administrative action to get toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” out of our drinking water.

Protect Our Oceans: Protect America’s oceans and coastal ecosystems from efforts to expand offshore oil and gas drilling in federal waters.

State

100% Renewable: Commit at least two more states to a concrete timeline to reach 100% clean, renewable electricity statewide—and convince at least one of the 10 states already set to go 100% clean to accelerate its timeline.

More Nature: As part of the movement-wide effort to protect 30% of America’s lands and oceans by 2030, win the creation and expansion of more parks, monuments and marine protected areas from coast to coast.

Infrastructure implementation: Continue to work with state and local leaders nationwide to ensure climate-, public health-, clean water- and wildlife-friendly planning and spending of resources provided by the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Beyond Plastic: Convince at least five more states to ban single-use foam cups, containers and plastic bags in order to stem the tide of throwaway stuff clogging landfills and polluting our landscapes and oceans.

Right To Repair: Convince at least five more states to join New York and Colorado in passing laws that expand access to the parts and information repairers need to fix our stuff when it breaks so we can limit toxic e-waste.

Corporate

Whole Foods: Planet Over Plastic: Convince Whole Foods to eliminate single-use plastic packaging, introduce reusable packaging, ensure all remaining packaging is recyclable or compostable, truthfully label its products and improve its plastic packaging transparency.

Walmart: Solar On Superstores: Persuade Walmart to strengthen its commitment to clean, renewable energy by putting solar on every viable rooftop and parking lot on its 5,000-plus U.S. locations by 2035.

Costco: Save The Boreal: Convince Costco to help end the deforestation of Canada’s irreplaceable boreal by making its Kirkland Signature tissue products from at least 50% recycled material and requiring other brands of tissue products they sell to make the same change.

Red Lobster: Save The Right Whale: Persuade Red Lobster to help save the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale by committing to only source lobster caught with ropeless fishing gear.

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