Watch here: https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/biden-urged-to-declare-climate-change-a-national-emergency-191386693680
President Biden is facing pressures from climate activists and Democrats to declare climate change a national emergency after the devastating wildfire in Maui. NBC News’ Hallie Jackson has more.
Rough Transcript:
Hallie Jackson of NBC – Aug. 22, 2023: President Biden in the face of these disasters now facing new pressure to declare climate change a national emergency. It’s something Democrats have been hoping for for a while even before Congress passed that sweeping climate law last year. We are in an emergency and it is a worldwide emergency. It didn’t happen then but activists hope it will now declare a climate emergency.
So what would that even do? Declaring an emergency can unlock special powers for a president in a crisis without needing approval from Congress, thanks to a law passed nearly 50 years ago. Since then, every President has declared at least one emergency during their time in office. Former President Trump for example, signing one in the pandemic. Former President George W. Bush declaring one after 911.
Now 57% of voters support the naming of a new national emergency on climate if Congress doesn’t do more, according to recent polling.
If President Biden were to do that it could mean new incentives for example, to cut greenhouse gas emissions, speed up EV production and build more renewable energy centers.
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Republicans would probably sue, meaning the whole thing could land at the steps of the Supreme Court, a legal challenge and an environmental one. It’s not just the legal potential hurdles here. You already have the president facing the beginnings of political pushback from at least one member of his own party Senator Joe Manchin and Democrat of course, a moderate Democrat, who just recently is promising to launch in his words a fight against what he describes as the Biden administration’s radical climate agenda.
Related:
Biden faces calls to declare a ‘climate emergency’ as he heads to Maui – Climate groups & Congressional allies urge him to invoke emergency powers – ‘Enable Biden to take sweeping action to restrain greenhouse gas production’
Many of Biden’s allies in Congress have urged him to invoke emergency powers, which would enable the president to take sweeping action to restrain greenhouse gas production, implement large-scale clean transportation solutions and finance distributed energy projects, among other actions. …
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.): “The devastation in Maui is a clear sign that the president must declare a climate emergency — now.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.): “This is a crisis and we need to treat it that way. That starts with President Biden declaring a national climate emergency to unlock vast federal resources and emergency powers to help our communities prepare for and recover from these deadly climate disasters.”
National director of the Green New Deal Network: “If there was ever a moment to declare a climate emergency, it is right now.”
Climate Depot’s Morano: ”The Biden administration believes that when democracy fails to achieve its climate goals, it’s time to bypass democracy and Congress and follow the COVID model. Climate activists have lusted after the COVID lockdowns as the model for climate lockdowns. The plan is to declare a ‘climate emergency,’ toss out elected representatives and follow China’s one-party rule model by implementing energy restrictions through the bureaucracy. They don’t need no stinkin’ democracy. Throughout history,emergency declarations have been used and abused to crush freedom.For those who loved how unelected officials ruled our lives under COVID lockdowns, prepare for the attempts to make climate lockdowns permanent. For an idea of what the world would look like under a climate lockdown.”” See:2021 International Energy Agency’s ‘Net-Zero’ report urges, “behavioral changes’ to fight climate: A shift away from private car use‚ upper speed limits’ & thermostat controls; limits on hot water and more!
Maui fires used to push Biden to declare ‘climate emergency’ – Green New Deal Network: ‘How many more lives lost…is Pres. Biden willing to tolerate before he declares a climate emergency & activates politicians to take further climate action?’
USA Today: Kaniela Ing of Green New Deal Network: ‚ “How many more lives lost or families displaced in communities like mine is President Biden willing to tolerate before he declares a climate emergency and activates politicians to take further climate action?”
Great Reset By Marc Morano – Chapter 12 Excerpt: ‘COVID Lockdowns Morph to Climate Lockdowns’
Hallie Jackson of NBC – Aug. 22, 2023: So what would that even do? Declaring an emergency can unlock special powers for a president in a crisis without needing approval from Congress, thanks to a law passed nearly 50 years ago. Since then, every President has declared at least one emergency during their time in office. Former President Trump for example, signing one in the pandemic. Former President George W. Bush declaring one after 911.
Now 57% of voters support the naming of a new national emergency on climate if Congress doesn’t do more, according to recent polling.
If President Biden were to do that it could mean new incentives for example, to cut greenhouse gas emissions, speed up EV production and build more renewable energy centers.
