In response to President Biden’s speech in Somerset, MA on the climate crisis, Ashfaq Khalfan, Director of Climate Justice at Oxfam America, made the following statement:
“While we welcome today’s announcement to prioritize wind energy, create green jobs and support communities most impacted by extreme heat and other climate impacts, the Biden administration must take much more action to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels – a dependence that continues to cause destruction around the world.
“The climate crisis is an existential threat affecting people in every country on every continent, even as it affects the poorest and most marginalized communities among us the most. Yet our leaders are not acting with the urgency, attention, or investment that climate change deserves. The administration must urgently ensure the phaseout of fossil fuels and the rollout of affordable renewable energy and energy efficiency measures to address the climate crisis and protect communities from spiraling energy prices.
“President Biden ran and was elected on a climate-forward platform but has thus far allowed Congressional opposition and extreme Supreme Court decisions to undermine his agenda. Today’s commitments are a good start, but President Biden must keep going and use his executive authority to stop further development of fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy, and ensure the government is accountable to the people not corporations.
“As one of the largest emitters of carbon pollution, the US has an obligation to the global community to lead the effort away from fossil fuels and towards a clean and just energy future. People in the US and around the world demand change and bold action to reduce emissions and prioritize the needs of those most impacted by climate change.”