Statement of Ken Berlin, President and CEO of the Climate Reality Project, on the Passage of COVID Stimulus

The following is a statement from Ken Berlin, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project, on the Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Package expected to be passed by Congress today.

“We are encouraged to see Congress finally come together to pass long overdue COVID relief for millions of struggling Americans. Low- and moderate income families impacted by staggering unemployment rates, economic insecurity, and the cumulative effects of hurricanes, wildfires, fossil fuel pollution, and worsening climate impacts are facing tremendous hardship at this moment. While we welcome this relief bill, bolder action from the federal government is desperately needed to support families and workers, stop the economic bleeding, and avert the climate crisis.  

Climate Reality applauds the historic passage of HFC limits, which could avert up to 0.9℉ of global warming in the coming years. We are also pleased to see funding for research and development of renewables, storage, and other clean technologies, as well as an extension of important clean energy tax credits for wind and solar. 

But, we need to do more. We must dramatically improve incentives for clean technologies, eliminate pollution impacting frontline communities, and decarbonize the economy at scale. This bill is one important step forward, but it does not meet the urgency of the climate crisis within the timeframe mandated by science.

We look forward to working with the new Administration and the new Congress to move us in the right direction, but we are committed to pressuring our leaders to pursue action that reflects the urgency and scale of change the climate crisis demands.”