The Need for a Climate Emergency Declaration

In a recent development, Senator Bernie Sanders along with Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Earl Blumenauer introduced a bill in Congress aimed at compelling President Joe Biden to utilize emergency powers to address the climate crisis. This bill, known as the Climate Emergency Act of 2021, would unlock 136 legal powers under the National Emergencies Act—typically reserved for extraordinary situations—and the climate crisis certainly qualifies.

“We must rise to the occasion. We are out of time and excuses,” stated Ocasio-Cortez while presenting the bill.

This initiative has the explicit support of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi expressed her endorsement of a similar concept two years ago. “If there was ever an emergency, it is the climate crisis,” remarked Schumer last week.

Biden’s campaign made reference to a climate “emergency” on multiple occasions, even framing it in a fundraising appeal for “drastic action,” indicating his tentative alignment with this initiative. His early actions as President have placed a strong focus on climate and environmental justice, and declaring an emergency would significantly enhance his ambitious climate agenda.

Although Biden has the authority to declare a climate emergency independently, doing so through Congressional action would provide a more solid legal foundation, as noted by Earther’s Dharna Noor. Previous uses of the National Emergencies Act, such as those by Trump, have faced opposition from both Republicans and some Democrats, indicating potential challenges ahead.

The U.S. would not be alone in taking this step; over 800 million people in more than 30 countries have already seen their governments declare a climate emergency. World leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have been advocating for such measures for years.

Support from Climate Advocacy Groups

Key segments of the climate movement back this move. Organizations like the Sunrise Movement, the Climate Justice Alliance, and the Climate Mobilization—established specifically to advocate for an official climate emergency—are all calling for Congress to pass this bill.

Our leaders are gradually recognizing the severity of our shared predicament.

The Implications of an Official Climate Emergency

Declaring a climate emergency under the National Emergencies Act would equip Biden with the tools necessary to dramatically reshape the U.S. economy towards a zero-carbon future and guide society toward ecological sustainability. This declaration would serve as a launching point for a Green New Deal.

The bill's text presents a compelling case for the extensive mobilization required to confront the climate crisis. It underscores that climate disasters disproportionately affect marginalized communities, highlighting existing injustices such as income inequality, institutional racism, and inadequate access to essential services like healthcare and clean water.

In essence, the climate emergency is an all-encompassing issue; it intersects with the need for systemic societal change and a departure from exploitative practices.

The bill articulates this clearly: “The unprecedented scale of action needed to stabilize the climate demands a heightened level of public awareness, engagement, and deliberation to create effective, just, and equitable policies.”

Practically, the legislation outlines significant investments in public transport, retrofitting buildings across the nation, prioritizing public health and regenerative agriculture, and transforming the industrial base to create equitable job programs.

One of the most notable aspects is the requirement for annual progress reports on these initiatives. This eliminates distant targets for 2050 or 2035, focusing instead on tangible yearly objectives.

This shift would instill an emergency mindset, yielding meaningful results in a timeframe that is critical for both frontline communities and the climate system we are striving to protect. We could reclaim our planet and foster a thriving society.

However, mere words—even those as bold as these—won’t resolve the climate crisis without sustained accountability and a commitment to justice.

Taking Action

If you resonate with this vision, you can contribute to its realization: Contact your member of Congress at (202) 224–3121 and urge them to co-sponsor the National Climate Emergency Act. If they are already a supporter, take a moment to express your gratitude.

This moment is real; we stand on the brink of entering emergency mode to confront the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. Let’s advocate for this ambitious narrative of a better future to commence as soon as possible.

The first video discusses the White House's consideration of declaring a national climate emergency, emphasizing the urgency of governmental action in the face of the climate crisis.

The second video fact-checks President Biden's claim regarding the declaration of a climate emergency, exploring the implications of such a move and its legitimacy.