CHICAGO (August 12, 2022) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest-ever single investment to tackle climate change in our nation’s history. The bill will now go to President Biden who will sign it into law. Marnie Urso, Senior Policy Director for Audubon Great Lakes released the following statement on the impact that this landmark legislation will have in the Great Lakes region, and is available for public comment.
“Critical relief is on the way for the Great Lakes region. Today, in a historic move, Congress passed one of the most significant pieces of climate legislation to ever come before it, and in doing so, has taken a big step forward towards meeting the U.S. climate goals. This monumental action will have a major impact for wildlife and communities in our region.
“Across the Great Lakes region, climate change is having a major impact - causing unpredictable lake level fluctuation, increased flooding, and more frequent and intense storms which threaten beach-nesting birds like federally endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers and wetland-nesting birds like Black Terns, all while placing the biggest burden on local communities who are on the frontline of the climate crisis.
“With the signing of this bill, billions of dollars will be on the way to restore high-quality habitat across our region, like wetlands. At Audubon Great Lakes, we have seen firsthand how wetland restoration can help bird populations rebound, improve water quality and decrease flooding.
“Critically important for our farm-rich region, this bill will invest in climate-smart agriculture, empowering farmers, ranchers, and foresters to lead in the fight against climate change. This bill also provides much-needed and overdue support for Black and brown, Indigenous, and lower-income communities across our region that are disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change.
“Great Lakes states have a long history of innovation and industry and this bill makes critical investments in domestic renewable energy production and manufacturing to support job growth and speed up the generation of renewable energy across our region. And that’s just the start.
“For too long we’ve known the threats that climate change poses to birds, with two-thirds of North American bird species at risk of extinction due to our warming planet. While our work is just beginning and this legislation is not perfect, it is a major step forward for Great Lakes birds and people.”
About Audubon Great Lakes
Audubon Great Lakes is a regional office of National Audubon Society. Learn more on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive.
TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW: Emily Osborne, emily.osborne@audubon.org, 414-841-5273
