Rep. Barbara Lee Commemorates Earth Day and Calls for Increased Investment in Clean & Renewable Energy
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement today celebrating Earth Day and calling for major investment to drive the transition to a clean energy future.
“For more than 50 years, Earth Day has been an opportunity to focus on protecting our environment, to celebrate our natural world, and to recommit ourselves to the fight for clean air, clean water, and a livable planet.
This year, we also must recognize that we are running out of time to save the planet for our children and grandchildren. If we fail to do so, the consequences will be catastrophic for our economy, our national security, our access to food and water, and life on Earth.
Here in California, we are already seeing the effects of the climate crisis in the form of drought, record heat waves, and wildfires that have devastated entire communities. As the United Nations and scientists around the world have made clear, we can still preserve a viable climate for future generations. But that window is closing fast.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, one of the most significant climate bills ever passed, is making serious investments to secure environmental justice for all, to remove lead from drinking water, to support clean transportation, and to clean up legacy pollution disproportionately harming communities of color, all while creating good-paying jobs. I will continue partnering with our state and local leaders to put these game-changing investments to work here in the East Bay and across California.
Now we must increase our investment in the transition to a clean energy future. I will continue to work with Speaker Pelosi and my Democratic colleagues to realize President Biden’s ambitious vision of slashing carbon pollution in half by 2030 and achieving a carbon neutral economy by 2050. And I will continue to support a Green New Deal to create millions of green jobs to modernize our infrastructure, reduce air and water pollution, and tackle the climate crisis head on.
We also must recognize that justice has to be at the heart of our fight against climate change. This crisis is disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities around the world. Women and girls in particular are facing increased risks to health and mortality. But for too long, women have been excluded from key climate change policy decisions. That is why I introduced the Women and Climate Change Act (WCCA) to empower women in economic development planning and international climate change policies and practices to help communities around the world become healthier and safer. Sen. Hirono (D-HI) has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
On this Earth Day, let’s take a moment to celebrate the progress we have made under the Biden/Harris administration. And let’s recommit to the goal of environmental justice and a healthy and habitable world for the next generation. It is time to put our country on the path to a cleaner, greener and more energy secure future.”