A Short - Plan B - Declaring a Climate Emergency - Climate Optimists

Opportunities to Make a Difference

Call your Senator!

We are on the cusp of the first major climate action the U.S. has ever taken.

Fossil fuel companies are working around the clock to undermine the bill.

If there was ever a moment to call your Senator, this is it!

Take 5 minutes during your next coffee break to tell your senator to pass this climate bill.

Nine Democratic senators sent President Biden a letter calling on him to declare climate change an emergency

History of emergency declarations by U.S. presidents

Enacted approximately 50 years ago
Gives president special emergency powers
Every president since the act was passed has declared at least one
President Trump declared one in response to immigration situation on Southern Border in order to free up funds for his border wall project

Selection of potential actions Biden could take under emergency declaration

Halt new oil and gas drilling on Federal lands - 25% of current U.S. oil / natural gas production comes from Federal lands
Halt crude oil exports - Equal to closing up to 42 coal plants (according to study by Greenpeace and Oil Change International)
End offshore drilling
Obtain access to emergency funds distributed through FEMA for energy efficiency or related projects focused on low-income households

Donations by fossil fuel lobby this election cycle

Sources