Column: Climate legislations passes, but it’s still critical to elect climate candidates

Those of us hoping to preserve a livable world for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren can find much to celebrate in the climate provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act recently signed into law by President Biden. It contains a huge investment in low-carbon technologies and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 2005 levels by 2030.

The significance of this legislative victory cannot be overstated. For decades, scientists warned of the dire consequences we face for failing to bring down the heat-trapping emissions that are warming our world. For far too long those warnings were ignored, and hopes that our nation would take action were raised again and again only to be dashed for lack of political will.

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This long-sought breakthrough on climate legislation was made possible by grassroots support that was lacking in previous “inside the Beltway” efforts. Over the past year, for example, Citizens’ Climate Lobby generated more than 200,000 letters and phone calls to members of Congress urging passage of a reconciliation bill that contains strong climate provisions. Members of other advocacy groups urged Congress to tackle climate as well. This victory was won by concerned citizens who insisted that their voices be heard by decision makers in Washington.

These important steps to fight climate change have come not a moment too soon. Extreme weather-related disasters like the flooding this summer that killed dozens in Missouri and Kentucky, are becoming more frequent due to rising temperatures, and could soon outpace our ability to adapt and recover. Here in Indiana the most comprehensive analysis so far of the risks to Hoosiers’ health brought on by climate change comes from Purdue University’s 2018 Indiana Climate Change Impact Assessment Report: Besides heat-related illness, Hoosiers risk facing insect-borne illnesses (diseases like West Nile and Zika), contaminated drinking water, and polluted air. Respiratory and allergy-related illnesses are projected to increase, as is cardiovascular disease.

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While we celebrate the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, we know more is needed to meet the U.S. pledge to cut emissions in half by 2030. It is therefore critical that we elect candidates who prioritize climate change and back strong solutions. Election season is kicking into high gear, and if you’re wondering what the future holds for your family’s wellbeing, livelihood and lifestyle, now is the time to get candidates to listen to your concerns. Town hall meetings, campaign events and online forums will be popping up throughout the area from now until November.

What will our representatives do to help preserve our health and lifestyle? Do they share our concern? We need to do our homework by checking out candidates’ written statements, available at vote411.org/Indiana. By showing up now, we can lay the groundwork for ambitious climate action in the next Congress.

Madeleine Para is executive director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Marcia Veldman is the Indiana State Co-Coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Column: Progress on climate, but much is still to be done