Minnesota organizations call on federal government to act now for climate

It has never been clearer—from flooding and mudslides to wildfires and record heat and drought, waiting for major federal action on climate is no longer an option. In order to bend the curve and avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change, we must achieve net-zero emissions globally no later than 2050—that’s less than three decades away.  

That’s why Fresh Energy, along with 34 local partners, is calling on Minnesota’s Congressional delegation to speak out, vote, and lead like our climate and economy depend on it.  

Our joint letter makes clear: “This moment calls for more than your vote….We ask for your public, active support for the strongest possible climate investments and policies as part of the infrastructure and budget reconciliation processes, consistent with the goal of achieving 50% carbon emissions reduction by 2030 and net-zero economy-wide by 2050.”  

Read the full letter here.

The latest United Nations-led report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) demonstrates that the Earth is likely to overshoot its Paris Climate Agreement goalpost of no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming in the next 20 or 30 years, even with some action to ease the climate crisis. As leaders from more than 195 countries—including Fresh Energy’s senior science policy director J. Drake Hamilton—come together at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November, it is imperative that commitments are made to more ambitious goals for fighting climate change. Here in the U.S., Congress is finally considering legislation that could be the game-changer we need to start meaningfully addressing the climate crisis. But, with a highly polarized political environment and the fossil fuel industry working overtime, the outcome is far from certain.  

This moment requires each one of us to act, as people, organizations, families, faith communities, and more. That’s why we’ve made it easy for all Minnesotans to write their own letter to their elected federal representatives. Join us to call for uncompromising commitment to renewable energy and climate leadership, starting with a Clean Electricity Performance Program (Clean Electricity Standard).

The time is now: Tell your representatives in D.C. that you support a national Clean Electricity Performance Program (Clean Electricity Standard)!

U.S. Senator Tina Smith (MN) has proposed the United States’ first national Clean Electricity Performance Program, or Clean Electricity Standard. This groundbreaking legislation has the potential to be the most significant climate action the United States has ever taken—while growing jobs and spurring innovation in the vibrant U.S. clean energy sector. It is critical that Congress include it as part of any budget package adopted in 2021. Your representatives in Washington, D.C. need to hear from constituents like you that a program like this has public support and is absolutely necessary to meet the urgency of the moment.

Thank you to all partners: