Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its latest report on how much and how quickly the science says countries must curb greenhouse gas emissions to meet Paris climate agreement targets. The report finds that it will be too late to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees without a dramatic reduction in the use of fossil fuels. It urges a rapid transition to clean energy, showing that we already have the technology and resources to make the switch. In response, Frances Colón, Ph.D., senior director for International Climate at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
This is yet another alarming report, based on the analysis of 18,000 scientific publications, showing that we must immediately reduce our reliance on volatile fossil fuels and ramp up our transition to clean energy to have a chance at curbing the devastating impact of climate change. The United States can lead the way in making the transition. The effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on oil prices has only confirmed that we can’t maintain energy security if we continue relying on fossil fuels. The United States should do everything it can to support its European allies as they try to reduce their dependence on Russian natural gas, especially working together on speeding up clean technology manufacturing and adoption.
Meanwhile, Congress needs to step up and pass President Joe Biden’s plan to establish tax credits and other incentives that will spur the deployment of clean energy, increase the use of electric vehicles, and create a new domestic clean energy manufacturing sector. This report is yet another reminder that we can’t wait—and that we have the tools we need now. We just need to find the political will to use them.
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].