Climate Change Legislation: Progress and Challenges in the United States
As the impacts of climate change become increasingly apparent, the United States has seen a growing push for comprehensive legislation to address this global crisis. This article examines recent climate change legislation, public opinion on the issue, and the perspectives of key policymakers.
Recent Legislative Efforts
The most significant climate legislation in U.S. history was passed in 2022 with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This landmark bill allocates nearly $400 billion towards clean energy and climate initiatives over the next decade.
Table 1: Key Climate Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act
Source: White House Briefing Room. 1
While the IRA represents a major step forward, other climate-related bills have been introduced in Congress, including:
- The Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030 (H.R.598): Introduced by Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), this bill aims to establish requirements for renewable energy, zero-emission vehicles, and regenerative agriculture. 2
- The Climate Emergency Act of 2021 (S.938): Sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), this bill would direct the President to declare a national emergency relating to climate change. 3
Public Opinion on Climate Change
Public concern about climate change has been growing in recent years, with a majority of Americans now viewing it as a serious issue that requires action.A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found:
- 69% of U.S. adults believe the federal government is doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change
- 58% say climate change is a major threat to the well-being of the United States
- 75% support the U.S. participating in international efforts to reduce the effects of climate change
However, there are significant partisan divides on the issue, with Democrats much more likely than Republicans to view climate change as a major threat and to support government action to address it.
Key Officials and Their Positions
Climate change legislation has become a polarizing issue in Congress, with opinions often split along party lines:Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader:
“Climate change is the greatest threat facing our planet. The Inflation Reduction Act is a historic down payment on deficit reduction to fight inflation, invest in domestic energy production and manufacturing, and reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030.” 4
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee:
“The Inflation Reduction Act is the product of bipartisan compromise and common sense… This legislation ensures we are not walking away from our responsibility to produce the energy our country needs while reducing emissions.” 5
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee:
“The Democrats’ reckless tax and spending plan is a disaster for Wyoming families and American energy… This legislation will raise energy costs and make America less secure.” 6
Representative Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee:
“The climate crisis is here, and we have no time to waste. The Inflation Reduction Act makes historic investments in clean energy that will create millions of jobs, lower energy costs for American families, and dramatically reduce carbon pollution.” 7
Challenges and Controversies
Despite the passage of the IRA, several challenges remain in implementing effective climate change legislation:
- Partisan Divide: Climate action remains a highly partisan issue, making it difficult to pass comprehensive legislation.
- Economic Concerns: Some lawmakers and industry groups argue that aggressive climate policies could harm economic growth and job creation.
- State vs. Federal Action: There’s ongoing debate about the appropriate balance between federal mandates and state-level initiatives.
- International Cooperation: The effectiveness of U.S. climate action is partly dependent on global efforts, raising questions about how to engage with other nations.
The Road Ahead
As climate impacts intensify, pressure is likely to grow for additional legislative action. Key areas to watch include:
- Implementation of the IRA: The success of this landmark legislation will significantly influence future climate policy debates.
- Sector-Specific Regulations: Agencies like the EPA are likely to continue issuing regulations for high-emitting sectors, such as power plants and transportation.
- Climate Resilience: Expect increased focus on legislation to help communities adapt to climate impacts already underway.
- International Climate Diplomacy: U.S. domestic climate action will continue to be closely tied to its role in global climate negotiations.
As Sen. Chuck Schumer noted, “We must address this by confronting the promises and perils of AI simultaneously.” The same could be said for climate change legislation — balancing economic concerns with the urgent need for climate action will remain a key challenge for policymakers in the years ahead.
Sources:
1 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/15/by-the-numbers-the-inflation-reduction-act/
2 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/598
3 https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/938
4 https://www.democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-statement-on-senate-passage-of-the-inflation-reduction-act
5 https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-secures-inflation-reduction-act-of-2022
6 https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=39D7F2E9-B6E1-4F4E-9E87-C2F021D2E6A8
7 https://energycommerce.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/pallone-remarks-at-markup-of-inflation-reduction-act