Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Just Dean's avatar

I would like to try and make a connection between local grassroots movements and what might be possible at the national level.

I became aware of the new consensus study report from the National Academies, "Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States" from your latest Note on Substack.

Ref. https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2023/10/new-report-provides-comprehensive-plan-to-meet-u-s-net-zero-goals-and-ensure-fair-and-equitable-energy-transition .

One of the problems in this country is that we need a decadal approach to solving climate change. As Sarah Isgur put it so eloquently in an article she wrote for Politico,

"Climate change can’t be fixed in four-year increments. To effectively stem carbon emissions, the country needs a long-term plan that can be followed for 25, 50, even 100 years — something that can only be put in place by the U.S. Congress." https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/05/19/supreme-court-activists-lose-congress-00033478

I believe that the plan from the National Academies could provide the framework for such a plan. Some of the guidance laid out in Part 1 of the report, https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2021/02/new-report-charts-path-to-net-zero-carbon-emissions-by-2050-recommends-near-term-policies-to-ensure-fair-and-equitable-economic-transition-and-revitalization-of-manufacturing-industry , influenced the legislation included in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Here's a bold idea. What if we all wrote our Senators and Representatives, calling on them to support adoption of the plan, in particular, the recommendations that call for Congressional action? A good place to start would be to organize an effort by climate scientists and scientific organizations calling on Congress to act. I have already contacted my Senator and Representative.

Expand full comment
Diane's avatar

Was at City Hall in Mpls today to witness the city council pass funding for a transformative climate plan grounded in equity. Grassroots organizing over the last two years to get to this day! It can work!

Expand full comment
6 more comments...

No posts