03.19.24 Climate Legislation in the US

03.19.24 How is the US Addressing Climate Change?

Do Now: What is one strategy or policy that you believe could be implemented in Indianapolis/the United States to help address climate change?

Open Ended

Do Now: What is one strategy or policy that you believe could be implemented in Indianapolis/the United States to help address climate change?

Word Cloud

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being very well; 1 being poorly), how well do you think that the US is doing at addressing the impacts of climate change?

Visit the following link and see where the United States measures up against other countries.
https://ccpi.org/ranking/

• On the next slide, answer the following:

  • What are the four metrics in which countries are being measured?

  • Where does the US rank amongst these countries?

  • What surprises you the most about these rankings?
    
    

CCPI Rankings: What stands out?

Open Ended

• https://ccpi.org/ranking/

• What are the four metrics in which countries are being measured?

• Where does the US rank amongst these countries?

• What surprises you the most about these rankings?

1. ​What are some of the goals mentioned in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022?

2. How will these goals be obtained?

3. What are some of the economic and environmental benefits of this bill? (environmental benefits may not be included in the text, you will have to draw these conclusions yourself.)

Visit the following link to read about a recent piece of legislation that was passed in the US.
https://share.america.gov/whats-in-biggest-us-climate-legislation-ever-passed/

Open Ended

1. https://share.america.gov/whats-in-biggest-us-climate-legislation-ever-passed/

2. What are some of the goals mentioned in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022?

3. How will these goals be obtained?

4. What are some of the benefits of this bill?

The legislation will keep the United States on track to meet its Paris Agreement goals by reducing U.S. carbon emissions 40% by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

The IRA will eliminate U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tons by 2030, an impact 10 times greater than any outlined in earlier-enacted U.S. legislation.

This will be accomplished by investing in clean energy infrastructure and providing tax incentives for Americans to convert their homes to climate-friendly energy.

​

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Multiple Select

Renewable energy resources produce less_____________ than fossil fuels.

• pollution

• energy

• wind

Multiple Choice

What percentage of energy used in the U.S. comes from renewable energy?

• 5%

• 20%

• 50%

• 80%

Multiple Choice

Which type of energy produces Carbon Dioxide, which can be harmful to our planet and cause pollution?

• Solar Energy

• Wind Energy

• Fossil Fuels (Coal, oil, and gas)

• Nuclear Energy

Multiple Choice

What is a disadvantage of wind power?

• We have too many rainy days in US
• It is not always windy in some places
• Companies charge too much to make the wind blow
• The sun is not always out

From the reading (continued)

By 2030, the United States private sector will install:

• 950 million solar panels.

• 120,000 wind turbines.

• 2,300 grid-scale battery plants.

The bill focuses on natural solutions to the climate crisis, too.

Around the world, forests absorb one-third of the carbon-dioxide released from burning fossil fuels, making them one of the most powerful tools to combat the climate crisis. In the United States, forests absorb 14% of annual carbon emissions. The IRA allocates $5 billion to protect nearly 800,000 hectares of national forests across the country

From the reading (continued)

The legislation offers huge tax breaks and financial incentives to American corporations and residents to go green. In addition, it will create millions of well-paying jobs in the clean energy sector across America.

Biden set a goal to ensure 50% of all new U.S car purchases are electric vehicles by 2030. The new law now provides tax credits to Americans who want to buy a zero-emissions vehicle.

The law gives incentives for large and small businesses to go green. Small businesses can receive a tax credit to cover 30% of the cost of switching to solar power. Larger businesses can receive a clean energy tax credit for switching to wind, solar, nuclear and clean hydrogen.

Open Ended

What are some potential drawbacks, weaknesses, or costs of this bill?

Open Ended

What are some ways that you could make the bill even better?