President Biden to Announce Important Strides in Climate Action

President Joseph Biden will release a far-reaching plan Wednesday that outlines the actions his administration will take to tackle climate change both domestically and internationally. With the scientific target squarely in focus -- reaching net zero emissions by 2050 in order to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius -- the new administration will lay out elements of a roadmap for the nation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in sectors across society, from agriculture to manufacturing.

Notably, today's announcements will include the creation of a National Climate Task Force, which will bring together 21 federal agencies to work on ambitious domestic pollution reduction goals. The group will be chaired by White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy. The executive orders will also emphasize science in policymaking at federal agencies; recommit the United States to international climate leadership, including hosting a global summit on Earth Day, April 22; and preserve public lands and oceans by pausing oil and gas leases.

Experts from Environment America and U.S. PIRG issued the following statements:

"Americans have been working for years to move our country to cleaner and healthier energy sources like wind and solar," said Andrea McGimsey, senior director for Environment America's Global Warming Solutions campaign. "But time is running out, and what's seemed like a marathon for so many must now become a sprint. Thankfully, President Biden's bold and ambitious climate action plan is the type of galvanizing vision that can get us moving faster toward a better future for ourselves and our grandchildren. We are grateful to the Biden administration for taking this kind of leadership on climate action within a week of entering office."

"Climate change is the greatest risk to a healthy and safe future for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren," said Matt Casale, U.S. PIRG Environment Campaigns director. "The actions taken today are an incredibly important step. We have never seen interagency coordination on climate quite like the Nation Climate Task Force. But it is exactly the kind of leadership we need to tackle ambitious, science-based climate goals across the executive branch. This bold action must be part of a coordinated effort to preserve a livable climate and reduce the toxic pollution that clouds our air, dirties our water and makes us sick."