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Inside the Greenhouse is a monthly update on FCNL’s environmental advocacy and the emerging climate issues that impact our work.  


Climate Legislation Making Slow Progress

Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) and other legislators call for climate legislation in front of U.S. Capitol.
Attribution
Sen. Schumer/Twitter

Even though efforts to pass climate legislation have slowed, Congress continues to explore options to pass legislation that will address climate change, energy security, and environmental protection.  

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The next two months present the best opportunity for the 117th Congress to take meaningful and historic action on climate policy. The goal is to reach an agreement before lawmakers depart for their August congressional recess. We are lobbying to ensure that tax incentives for renewable energy and environmental justice policies are included in any final reconciliation bill.

News and Updates

Understanding Climate Change as a Driver of Global Migration

 June 20 marks World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. As the impact of climate change begins to manifest, we see its effects on a range of issues, including migration. Since 2008, disasters have displaced an annual average of 21.5 million people. The United States must recognize this and explore ways to reform its immigration system to meet the rising need of all migrants, including those displaced by the climate crisis.

FCNL Leads Coalition of 60 Groups Calling for Environmental Justice in Reconciliation Bill

With negotiations over a climate-focused reconciliation bill gathering pace, FCNL sent a letter on June 8 to lawmakers asking them to include funding for environmental justice programs in any final agreement. Sixty organizations, including faith-based organizations, environmental justice groups, socially responsible investors, and environmental NGOs, added their support to the letter.

Clean Energy Transition Requires Critical Mineral Mining

As we invest in clean energy and technology to meet our carbon reduction goals, we must ensure that the clean energy economy does not replicate the human and environmental damage wrought by fossil fuels. Demand is growing for minerals—like lithium and cobalt—needed to build renewable technologies. This has the potential to harm the communities and environment where these minerals are mined. This is the environmental justice challenge of the 21st century. We are doing more research to understand the challenges of mining and processing of critical minerals.

What We’re Reading:
Rosalie Ruetz

Rosalie Ruetz

Program Assistant, Sustainable Energy and Environment (2021-2022)

Rosalie Ruetz is the program assistant for sustainable energy and environment.