Washington – President Joe Biden signed a series of executive actions aimed at combat on Wednesday climate changeBuilding on unilateral action, the president took his first day in office and reinforced the federal government’s focus on the issue, which was lagging behind the administration of former President Donald Trump.
Along with Vice President Kamala Harris, Presidential Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry and National Climate Adviser Gina McCarthy, Mr. Biden said his actions “will reinforce our government’s ambitious plan to address the existential threat of climate change.”
“The point is that we come right now to deal with a greater sense of urgency with this maximum threat that we now face, climate change,” he said in comments at the White House. “In my opinion, we have already waited too long for this climate crisis and we cannot wait any longer. We see it with our own eyes, we feel it, we know in our bones.”
The president said the nation “desperately” needs a unified response to the climate crisis and stressed that the US must be the leader in the global response.
“It’s time to act,” he said.
In three guidelines, Mr. Biden instructed the Secretary of the Interior to freeze new oil and gas leases on public land and offshore waters “where possible,” and to review existing leasing and licensing practices related to fossil fuel development on federal land and water . Mr. Biden, as during the presidential campaign, stressed that his government will not ban fracking.
The president’s executive order sets a target to conserve at least 30% of the land and water by 2030, and begins the process for the US to develop an emissions reduction target and climate finance plan.
Mr. Biden identified climate as a key element of foreign policy and national security, and instructed National Intelligence Director Avril Haines to prepare a “National Intelligence Estimate” on the security implications of climate change . As the climate in US foreign policy improves, Kerry, Mr. Biden’s special presidential envoy for climate, will serve on the National Security Council.
Through his executive actions, the president formally established the White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy and established the National Climate Task Force, made up of officials from 21 federal agencies and departments. Before taking the reins of the government, Mr. Biden tapped McCarthy, former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, as the national climate advisor, and she will lead the Office of Domestic Climate Policy.
Mr. Biden also signed a presidential memorandum protecting government scientists from political interference.
“It is a government-wide approach to put climate change at the center of our domestic, national security and foreign policies,” the president said of his actions. “It promotes conservation, revitalizes communities and cities and on the farmlands, and provides environmental justice. Our plans are ambitious, but we are America. We are brave.”
Mr. Biden’s latest set of guidelines aimed at addressing the climate crisis comes a week after he signed an order to rejoin the Paris climate agreement, negotiated by the administration of former President Barack Obama. On his first day in office, the president also effectively ended the Keystone XL Pipeline.
The president has spent his first week in office rolling out a slew of orders targeting the coronavirus crisis, manufacturing, immigration and racial equality. Mr. Biden said the climate affects many of his agenda, including boosting American jobs, ensuring the health of American families, and protecting the security of the country.