Biden’s Strongest Climate Allies Are Outside Washington
For the past four years, communities and companies across the U.S. have been stepping up their environmental efforts. The current administration should encourage their initiative.
The view from California.
Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North AmericaPresident Joe Biden’s ability to bring together the two parties in Congress is already being tested. But the good news is that on at least one issue — climate change — the fate of the president’s ambitions does not rest primarily with his ability to unite Congress, but with his ability to support and expand ongoing work in the rest of the country.
Consider this: The U.S. is actually within striking distance of reaching the goal it set under the Paris climate agreement, a 26% to 28% reduction in emission levels by 2025. In fact, local and state leadership alone could take us to 37% by 2030. The reason is simple: While the previous administration was trying to drag us backwards — it failed, spectacularly — cities, states and businesses were racing ahead.