Statement: PennEnvironment applauds U.S. Senate committee’s release of ambitious new climate recommendations

Plan shows urgent need for robust action to cut climate pollution

PennEnvironment

[WASHINGTON DC] — The U.S. Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis released a long-awaited report Tuesday, making the case for comprehensive climate solutions to meet the goal of net-zero carbon emissions nationwide by 2050. This target is in line with the global recommendations set in 2018 by the International Panel on Climate Change, to prevent the Earth from warming more than 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels and help us avoid the worst impacts of climate change. 

Flora Cardoni, Field Director for PennEnvironment, issued the following statement: 

“As huge swaths of the nation deal with wildfires, hurricanes, excessive heat and flooding, the U.S. Senate’s climate plan reiterates the need for swift action to tackle climate change. This plan offers a helpful blueprint for steps that the U.S. can and must take in order to leave a healthier planet for our children and future generations. 

“But the plan released today is only a start. To tackle the climate crisis, we’ll need bold solutions, including 100 percent renewable energy to power our society and an expedited transition to clean transportation. That’s why PennEnvironment has long been calling for 100% renewable energy by 2050, electrifying our vehicles, and transforming our transit systems, with more people travelling on foot, bike or electric public transit.

“We commend the Senate committee for recognizing the massive problems we face with the changing climate, but we now look forward to bipartisan efforts to get bold climate solutions implemented as quickly as possible.” 

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PennEnvironment is a statewide citizen-based environmental advocacy group dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public and decision-makers, and help the public make their voices heard in local, state and national debates over the quality of our environment and our lives. For more information, visit www.PennEnvironment.org.