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From Common Dreams
Summary:
- White House officials are considering declaring a national climate emergency in order to combat climate change and unlock federal powers.
- Top advisers to President Biden are divided over the idea, with some arguing it wouldn’t provide enough authority for substantial changes and others believing it could galvanize climate-minded voters.
- Youth-led groups like the Sunrise Movement and Center for Popular Democracy Action have been pressuring the Biden administration to take action on climate change, calling for policies that meet the current moment.
The youth-led Sunrise Movement on Thursday celebrated Bloomberg reporting that “White House officials have renewed discussions about potentially declaring a national climate emergency.”
The Wednesday revelation came just two days after six young activists were arrested outside Vice President Kamala Harris’ Los Angeles, California home to increase pressure on the Biden administration to make such a declaration, which would unlock various federal powers to combat the fossil fuel-driven global crisis.
According to Bloomberg:
Top advisers to President Joe Biden have recently resumed talks about the merits of such a move, which could be used to curtail crude exports, suspend offshore drilling, and curb greenhouse gas emissions, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named because a final decision has not been made.
White House advisers are divided over the idea of declaring a climate emergency, with some saying it wouldn’t provide Biden with enough newfound authority to make substantial changes, the people said. Others, however, argue such an announcement would galvanize climate-minded voters.
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Read the full post at Common Dreams.
