On Wednesday, President Joe Biden signed a series of
executive actions aimed at combating climate change.
The trio of documents included:
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- Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
- Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking
- Executive Order on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
The centerpiece of the first order directed President Biden’s entire administration to center the climate crisis as an essential element of U.S. domestic and foreign policy. Through this action, the President formally created the White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy and established the National Climate Task Force, which is comprised of officials from 21 federal agencies and departments.
"It's a whole-of-government approach to put climate change at the center of our domestic, national security and foreign policy," the President said of his actions. "It's advancing conservation, revitalizing communities and cities and on the farmlands, and securing environmental justice. Our plans are ambitious, but we are America. We're bold."
Included in this order are items to use government buying power toward renewable energy in order to lead “by example.” To that end, he ordered the Interior Secretary to freeze new oil and gas leases on public lands and offshore waters "wherever possible," and review existing leasing and permitting practices related to fossil fuel development on federal lands and water. It also charged the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that, to be consistent with applicable law, federal funding is not subsidizing fossil fuels. Mr. Biden stressed that his administration will not ban fracking.
The second order directs agencies to make evidence-based decisions guided by the best available science and data. “Improper political interference in the scientific process, with the work of scientists, and in the communication of scientific facts undermines the welfare of the nation, contributes to systemic inequities and injustices, and violates the public trust,” the document asserts.
The final order re-establishes the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The PCAST– co-chaired by the President’s Science Advisor – will advise the President on policy that affects science, technology, and innovation.