Southwestern cities like Phoenix are enduring unprecedented spans of extremely hot days and nights. Smoke from wildfires are filling the skies and bringing dangerous levels of air pollution to cities across the Midwest and East Coast. Catastrophic floods are becoming the “new normal” for places like Montpelier, Vt., while historic droughts are leaving many Western cities water insecure. These are the new realities that Americans are facing every day in our cities as we cope with the changing climate and warming world.
No matter where we live or how we vote, we’re all feeling the negative effects of climate change. We can expect to continue going down this dangerous path unless political leaders act fast — and act together.
One year ago, Democrats rallied together to pass the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to grow America’s clean energy economy and move the U.S. closer to meeting our collective climate goals. The bill brings tax breaks to Americans, investments in clean energy jobs to American businesses, and incentives to ensure our communities are healthy, sustainable and equitable. We are already seeing the bill working to electrify our energy grids and transportation sectors in our cities, thus reducing air pollution and lowering energy bills for residents.
Yet, despite the financial, health and climate benefits provided by the IRA, congressional Republicans still seek to roll back key provisions, which could ultimately cause a politically motivated government shutdown.
After a challenging summer and leading into what we expect to be an unpredictable winter, the last thing we need is elected officials undoing necessary federal investments to build more resilient infrastructure, create good-paying jobs and lower American families’ energy costs. Right now, we need leaders from both parties to take this issue as seriously as the moment demands. This is not the time, nor the issue, for partisan politics. We need all hands on deck to accelerate solutions that fight the climate crisis and result in cleaner air, secured water resources and safer communities.
But don’t just take it from us. Polling shows that over half of moderate Republican voters support clean energy investments. It’s notable that many red states stand to benefit greatly from IRA climate funding allocations: Texas alone is estimated to receive over $66 billion in investments for its burgeoning clean energy industry. Meanwhile, states like Florida are rejecting millions in federal energy efficiency rebates that would lower energy costs, improve indoor air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For decades, local leaders have had a front-row seat to what the changing climate means for the future of our families and our economy. That’s why we’re focused on deploying people-first solutions and delivering results for the long-term. Today, that means breaking down political barriers to ensure our communities can benefit from the provisions in the IRA, now and for years to come.
We already know it works. In Madison, we’re lowering energy costs by giving residents and businesses more choices to be energy independent through the MadiSUN solar energy program. This resilient energy source gives people more control of their energy future and insulates them from future price increases. It can even help keep their lights on as we face greater unpredictable weather extremes.
In Cleveland, federal funding is helping us bring good-paying green jobs to the city with a pipeline of 3,000 workers to build out the city’s green infrastructure. The federal funding supports us in empowering and engaging those who have been historically excluded from these occupations. Thanks to federal investments like the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act, there are new pathways to make sure everyone is included in the green economic transition.
And in the city of Phoenix, the IRA will allow us to invest in efforts to electrify our public transportation fleet and reduce air pollution. We have the opportunity to bolster the grid for greater resilience and reduced emissions, create 300 miles of walkable bike paths and greenways, and expand financial opportunities for infrastructure upgrades including home weatherization assistance — solutions from which residents will feel the benefits immediately.
While the national discourse may be rife with polarization, on the local level we know the true impact of climate leadership: affordable clean energy, pollution-free air and meaningful climate justice. Because we are so close to the action, mayors know first-hand that locally deployed solutions like those above create lasting impacts on communities. By lowering energy costs, creating jobs and improving public health, local leaders are reshaping lives for the better.
On the heels of the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, we hope leaders from all parts of the political spectrum join us to protect these investments as we usher in a new era of climate policy making — an era sure to secure the sustainability and prosperity of future generations.
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has held office in Madison, Wisconsin, since 2019 and began her term by making history as the first openly LGBTQ person to hold the position. She has been a member of the Climate Mayors Steering Committee since 2020 and is the current Chair.
Mayor Kate Gallego of Phoenix, Arizona, has held office since 2019 and has served as the C40 Cities Vice-Chair since 2021 and Climate Mayors Vice-Chair since 2020.
Mayor Justin Bibb, recently awarded the title of Young Democrat of the Year, has served as the first millennial mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, since 2022 and is currently Vice-Chair of Climate Mayors.