August 25, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2020
Contact: Ben Schneider, bschneider@edf.org, 202-572-3279

Senate Climate Crisis Report Prioritizes Environmental Justice and Clean Energy Jobs
Statement from Defend Our Future

“We commend the Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, for issuing a new report that recognizes both the clear moral imperative to make environmental justice the center of America’s response to climate change, and also the opportunity our nation has to embrace clean energy and rebuild our economy better than it was before.

“The Committee lays out a plan that will create 10 million jobs, and rapidly reduce U.S. carbon pollution to help reach net zero emissions by no later than 2050. The report also calls for ‘at least 2% of GDP to be spent on climate action annually’ – and for ‘at least 40% of the benefits from these investments to help communities of color and low-income, deindustrialized and other disadvantaged communities.’ These communities are often the most impacted by toxic pollution, but this report helps set the stage for Congress to address this longstanding injustice. We encourage Congress to include leaders from these communities in the decision-making process for when, where and how these resources are directed.

“Young, diverse environmental leaders are playing a central role in the movement to finally make environmental justice and clean energy national priorities. We have a long way to go, and it’s up to all of us — including our elected leaders — to keep pushing for the change we need. To Chairman Senator Schatz and all the Committee members, thank you for your leadership in releasing this report that details both the crisis we face, and the opportunity we have to address it.”

– The Defend Our Future Team

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Defend Our Future, a project of the Environmental Defense Fund, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to empowering young people of all political persuasions who are interested in advancing climate change and clean energy solutions that grow our economy and protect the world for future generations. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.