Guest columnists: Passage of major climate legislation is a victory for all Americans

Those hoping to maintain a stable environment for ourselves and future generations can find much to celebrate in the climate provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act recently passed in the U.S. Senate. The bill, now awaiting passage in the House, contains a huge investment — $369 billion — in low-carbon technologies and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent, below 2005 levels by 2030.

The significance of this legislative victory cannot be overstated. For decades, scientists have warned of the dire consequences we face for failing to bring down the heat-trapping emissions that are warming the planet. But those warnings were ignored and hopes that our nation would take action were low because of a lack of political will.

Now the political will has arrived. With these policies in place, the United States will embark on a transformational journey to wean ourselves off fossil fuels. Doing so will remove air pollution that sickens millions of Americans and inflicts billions of dollars in damage to our economy.

The Inflation Reduction Act will speed this transition by providing tax credits over the next 10 years to develop and deploy clean energy like wind and solar. Money will also be used to help households become more energy efficient and to replace gas appliances with ones powered by electricity, like heat pumps and induction stoves. Middle- and low-income Americans will also be eligible for tax credits to help them buy electric vehicles, thereby reducing carbon emissions and unhealthy air pollution.

The incentives in this legislation will provide economic opportunity in Florida by increasing demand for products and services, like the solar panels produced by the JinkoSolar factory here in Jacksonville.

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Disadvantaged communities that typically bear the greatest burden from climate change and pollution will also get help. Some $60 billion will be used on environmental justice programs in these communities.

This long-sought breakthrough on climate legislation was made possible by grassroots support that was lacking in previous “inside the Beltway” efforts. Over the past year, for example, Citizens’ Climate Lobby generated more than 200,000 letters and phone calls to members of Congress urging passage of a reconciliation bill that contains strong climate provisions.

Members of other advocacy groups urged Congress to tackle climate as well. This victory was won by concerned citizens who made their voices heard by decision makers in Washington.

Meaningful steps to fight climate change come not a moment too soon. Extreme weather-related disasters made worse by rising temperatures, like flooding this summer that killed dozens in Missouri and Kentucky, are becoming more frequent and could soon outpace our ability to adapt and recover. In Florida, the impact of an altered climate is already being felt through stronger hurricanes, sea level rise and extreme heat waves.

Throughout the world, the U.S. has been viewed as a laggard on climate change. This legislation will help restore U.S. climate leadership. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced in every country around the world and our example will help motivate other nations to increase their climate ambition.

More will be needed to meet the U.S. pledge to cut emissions in half by 2030, but for now let’s celebrate the passage of this historic legislation, which brings hope that we and future generations can live in a hospitable climate. The best time to do something about climate change was 20 years ago. The next best time is now and that’s finally happening.

Adam Rosenblatt is chair of the Jacksonville chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, headquartered in California. Madeleine Para is its executive director. 

This guest column is the opinion of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions. 

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Passage of major climate legislation is a victory for all Americans