DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council Chair Michelle Deatrick issued the following statement in celebration of Earth Day:

“Every day, we’re reminded how lucky we are to live on a beautiful planet that gives us life. Water hydrates us, fruits and vegetables fuel us, and trees allow us to breathe. Yet, despite the wonders that Earth has to offer, humans have manufactured a crisis of our own making. Climate change is a clear and present threat to our very survival and unless we do something now, we will suffer serious consequences. 

“Despite the urgent need to solve the climate crisis, Donald Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans refuse to live in reality. They refuse to acknowledge the settled science and admit that climate change is real. As the 2024 election rapidly approaches, there are clear, existential stakes: Donald Trump will put our planet’s survival at risk while President Biden is working every single day to implement solutions to the climate crisis and create a safer, more sustainable world. 

“Under President Biden and Vice President Harris, the United States reclaimed its role as a global leader in combating climate change, unveiling the most ambitious environmental and climate agenda in American history, including the Inflation Reduction Act. Spearheaded by President Biden, the landmark legislation is projected to generate about 1.5 million jobs over the next decade and double the share of clean electricity generation by 2030. 

“Low-income and rural communities are far too often disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. President Biden is determined to change that reality through efforts like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law prioritizes environmental justice and equity, working to ensure that everyone enjoys the fundamental right to live in a healthy and safe environment. Through the administration’s Justice40 initiative, President Biden set a historic goal to direct 40% of overall benefits of federal clean energy, transit, and other climate investments to communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. On Earth Day and every day, the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats across the country are committed to combating the climate crisis and safeguarding our planet for generations to come.”