Author: 
November 5, 2024 millions of Americans were glued to their screen. Living in the Eco Cottage, my house was anxious longing for a president that would protect our climate. We were longing for a president that would acknowledge the sustainable foundations we have built in our lives here.
As a sustainability student, we are aware of what climate change is and how it affects our environment. Majority of people when voting are unaware of policies that are in support of our environment versus policies that would harm the environment. It is important to look at the policies of the people we elect. The United States currently holds different policies while also having a task force for climate change. This task first was forged in 2015 when the Paris New Deal was adopted as a treaty by international nations. The United Nations refers to the New Deal as “ a landmark in the multilateral climate change process because, for the first time, a binding agreement brings all nations together to combat climate change and adapt to its effects”.
Under this Deal, President Biden currently has a national goal to reduce carbon emissions by 50%-52% by 2030. The US is also tackling climate change with the Inflation Reduction Act. This act called for clean energy incentives. The act currently has caused clean energy to surge in all fifty states. The US also passed the Kigali amendment that reduces HFC’s. HFCs make up some of the greenhouse gasses admitted into our environment. We also have pledged alongside 155 other countries to cut down methane admissions to 30%.
As the new presidency starts, we have to be aware of what the next leader has planned. Currently, our president-elect wants to repeal all climate change policies passed by the former government. As we are aware of what the president elect can do due to his former presidency, it is reasonable to be fearful. In the past, we have been faced with this president wanting to pull out of the Paris deal and any other major climate incentives. When faced with putting the economy over livelihood what can one do? Scientists have a grim estimation of what climate change can and will do to us. It is important to be aware that the science lets us know that the furthering of climate change will lead to droughts, sea levels rising, malnutrition, worsening storms, and other atrocities. With this grim prediction, it feels like our impacts are miniscule. Living sustainably means living for a better future. The use of sustainable practices by the average American is impactful in the fight against climate change.We can continue to promote sustainability through recycling, walking instead of driving, or even managing food waste. However, the most important thing to push for sustainability is to vote. We must be aware of how the laws the government passes affects our planet. Local and state legislators pus the laws that determine our future. If we want to see a better planet tomorrow, it is important to be educated today.
References:
The United States Government. (2024, August 9). National Climate Task Force. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/#:~:text=Reducing%20U.S.%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions,clean%20energy%20to%20disadvantaged%20communities
Climate change impacts are increasing for Americans. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.). https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/climate-change-impacts-are-increasing-for-americans
Higgins, T., & Lespier, D. (2024a, July 26). The Biden Administration has taken more climate action than any other in history. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-biden-administration-has-taken-more-climate-action-than-any-other-in-history/
Lashof, D. (2024, July 30). Tracking progress: Climate action under the biden administration. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/biden-administration-tracking-climate-action-progress
1, N., 11, J., 14, A., & 13, S. (2024, November 6). Clean economy works: Tracking new clean energy projects across U.S.E2. https://e2.org/announcements/
Inflation reduction act. U.S. Department of the Treasury. (2024, October 17). https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/inflation-reduction-act#:~:text=Across%20the%20economy%2C%20the%20IRA,good%20wages%20for%20those%20efforts.
U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/u-s-ratification-of-the-kigali-amendment/
Trump Issues Executive Order on Climate Change. Trump Issues Executive Order on Climate Change | Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. (n.d.). https://climate.law.columbia.edu/content/trump-issues-executive-order-climate-change-0