This letter to the editor was written in response to a July 29 Minnesota Daily article.
After the Supreme Court ruling on June 30, which limited the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon emissions in the power industry, the urgent need for climate action is at the forefront of many conversations. Gabriel Chan from the University of Minnesota Center for Science, Technology and Environmental Policy said he hopes this decision will motivate a greater focus on climate action locally. Devlin Epding’s article from July 29 mentions Minneapolis’s updated 2023 Climate Equity Plan as one possible outlet for such climate action in Minneapolis.
Another opportunity for action is the Inflation Reduction Act, which has passed the Senate and is headed to the House. Democrat senators have agreed on a reconciliation bill, which is estimated to achieve 40% emissions reductions by 2030 and includes $369 billion in climate and clean energy policies. It has the potential to lower the emissions that cause climate extremes, so I urge Democrat House representatives to vote yes on this package when it comes to the floor. Additionally, readers should contact their members of Congress in support of the bill. A flood of support can ensure that our Minnesota representatives know we view the climate as a priority. Despite the recent Supreme Court decision, there is still hope to fight for a better, healthier world.
This letter was submitted by Maxanne Millerhaller, a Twin Cities resident, environmental studies and interdisciplinary math & economics student at Fordham University and the Northeast climate advocacy fellow at Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
This letter has been lightly edited for style and clarity.
