FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 18th, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Salome Garcia
salome@cleoinstitute.org
305-573-5251
On Tuesday, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, the largest investment in climate solutions in our nation’s history. This great step for our nation promotes green technology retrofits for housing, environmental conservation, wider adoption of electric vehicles, and multiple community-led solutions to address local issues. We are already seeing massive destruction from natural disasters and declines in biodiversity. The IRA is a step in the right direction that will raise about $700 billion and spend about $370 billion on several climate, energy, and public health initiatives. It is aimed at helping the United States cut greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 getting us closer to a climate safe goal dictated by science to meet the urgency of the crisis.
We see everyday how the investment decisions of our elected leaders impact our most vulnerable communities the most, highlighting gaps that are amplified by the climate crisis. Nearly 37 million American homes suffer from energy poverty, the inability to meet a household’s energy needs. This makes too many of us vulnerable to detrimental health effects during periods of intense heat or cold. People of color are more likely to live near pollution, have limited access to healthy food, lack the tools and resources necessary for a transition to clean energy technology, and more. Through the Jutice40 initiative, the continued build out of environmental justice platforms and investment packages like the IRA, we are seeing positive actions.
It is past time that we see real transformation in our energy, transportation, housing and health systems. In fact, this legislation is many decades too late delayed by corporate greed driven misinformation and by flawed checks & balance political system that cannot keep corporations at bay. The passage of the IRA is a result of the people power built over decades and consistent participation by thousands of voices that are demanding a fundamental restructuring of our economic system. Especially the loud voices of our youth. This is legislation that provides hope for our movement. A sign that as more of us speak out, our legislators will listen. The CLEO Institute will continue to monitor this legislation while working with our members calling for more climate action and a path to a healthier and more equitable future for all!
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The CLEO Institute’s mission is to educate and empower communities to demand climate action, ensuring a safe, just, and healthy environment for all. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The CLEO Institute offers educational programs, advocacy programs and campaigns, and undertakes policy work in order to achieve a world in which all people, governments, and organizations are informed, engaged, and taking action on critical climate issues. CLEOInstitute.org