Joe Biden must declare a climate emergency. And he must do so now

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece in The Guardian or enjoy below 

🗞️ Driving the news: The author argues for the urgent declaration of a climate emergency by President Biden, amid intensifying global warming

🔭 The context: We've entered a new phase of global heating with significant threats on the horizon, including irreversible damage to ecosystems 
• The author emphasizes that the fossil fuel industry's continued existence escalates this environmental crisis, citing its role in causing deadly heatwaves and the overall global temperature rise

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: Our planet is rapidly reaching a point where the damage caused by the continued use of fossil fuels may become irreversible

⏭️ What's next: President Biden has the power to take decisive action against the fossil fuel industry
• By utilizing executive orders and federal agency rules, he could halt new drilling leases, fracking, and pipeline constructions, accelerate the buildout of renewable energy, and implement a historic education program to counter fossil fuel industry disinformation

💬 One quote: "Each minute the fossil fuel industry exists, each drilling permit, airplane flight, gallon of gas, fossil fuel ad, lobbyist’s email, takes us further into irreversible heat catastrophe, socially and physically." (Peter Kalmus, climate scientist and author)

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