EESI Impact 20 - April 2024 | Newsletter

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This Earth Day, Let's Assess Our Progress

From EESI's President, Daniel Bresette

First of all, thanks to everyone who is prioritizing climate solutions in their giving!

You might remember hearing from me last year about the urgency of climate action during the “decisive decade” to avoid the worst outcomes of a hotter planet.

Well, here we are: Earth Day 2024. A little closer to 2030, a key milestone on our way to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Are we on the right track?

Well, yes, and no. As we mentioned in the Fifth National Climate Assessment briefing, annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 12%. But we have a long way to go to live up to our Paris Agreement commitment of at least 50% reductions by 2030.

You made possible briefings about advanced weather forecasting technologies and the status of huge investments in climate solutions in rural areas. These science-based educational resources are building on our 40-year track record of providing timely, relevant information to Congress.

Unfortunately, the continued subsidies for fossil fuels are a big drag on our progress. One of our newest fact sheets outlined $3 billion worth of annual direct subsidies embedded in our tax code. Then there are the indirect subsidies worth many billions of dollars more each year.

It boggles the mind that we continue to dig deeper, given the depth of the hole we are already in with climate change. Imagine what we could do if that $3 billion instead went to accelerating an equitable transition to a decarbonized, clean energy economy! Imagine how much things would change if companies were unable to hide the costs of fossil fuel consumption—including runaway usage of difficult-to-recycle plastics—borne by society at large.

Thanks for sticking with us as we give policymakers the information they need to make good decisions about climate policies and investments. I remain optimistic. But I also know how much work remains to do, and your continued support is essential to seeing it through.

P.S. You also helped make possible the latest update to our climate jobs fact sheet. Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other climate sectors continue to expand employment opportunities across the board, driven in large part by history-making Congressional investments.