In this article, Sofia Waldron gives a synopsis over the recent executive orders and what they mean for the environment.
Throughout the course of Biden’s campaign, he has been very keen and vocal regarding his plan for Climate Change and promised a “ Clean Energy Revolution.” For his first week in office, it is very clear that the newly elected President is keeping his promise with several executive orders designed to combat this very real threat.
One of the first things Biden had ordered was the decision to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. The Paris Climate Agreement focuses on a global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adjust/ provide assistance to foreign countries that more harshly experience the damaging effects of climate change. Under the Trump administration, the U.S had officially withdrawn from this Climate Agreement despite releasing the most amount of greenhouse gases when compared to other countries. The process to rejoin the Paris Climate agreement involves sending a notice to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and after 30 days the U.S will be authorized to rejoin.
President Biden has additionally ordered a halt to construction on the Keystone XL pipeline. This pipeline was designed to transfer oil sands crude from Nebraska to Alberta, Canada. The Keystone XL pipeline garnered controversy after environmental specialists came to the conclusion that the many endangered species living along the 1,200-mile pipeline path would be hurt and killed off. The digging for the pipeline also disproportionately affects Native American communities living near. Not only would they be digging up sacred sites, but also heighten the risk for water pollution and be the cause for the destruction of nearby forests. Thus far, Biden has received much support from Native American communities and environmental specialists for his actions.
Furthermore, Biden has put a stop to any and all drilling activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Restored the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases, and plans to conserve 30% of oceans and federal land by 2030. His plans for climate change also involve creating clean energy jobs for 10 million Americans. Most of the executive orders that Biden has signed ensure that everyone is responsible for any damage to the environment, key habitats are kept untouched, and despite what critics say more jobs are created. Overall, Biden has an ambitious and determined approach towards Climate Change and in his words “ We have already waited too long...And we can’t wait any longer.”
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