By Amanda Pankau
Illinois had good news to share with the rest of the world at November’s global climate summit, known as the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26). The Paris Agreement was born at COP21 (Paris 2015) with every country agreeing to work together to limit global warming to well below 2°C while pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Governor Pritzker attended this year’s gathering of nearly 200 nations, proclaiming, “I’m here to say that in America’s heartland lies a state that’s taking strides to match the urgency of this moment.”
The urgency of the moment was highlighted once again in August’s climate report from the IPCC’s “Sixth Assessment.” The report is being called a “code red for humanity.” The authors called human influence on climate “unequivocal” and detailed how warming is already affecting many weather and climate extremes, including increased globally averaged rainfall and sea levels, decreasing snow cover, retreating glaciers, and the warming and acidifying of the oceans. With every increase of global warming, these changes in weather and climate extremes continue to become larger. The report’s findings and reason for alarm are clear: unless there are immediate, rapid and sustained reductions in emissions, followed by net zero emissions, the goals of the Paris Agreement will be far beyond reach and our planet will become less livable.
At COP26, Pritzker provided other leaders an opportunity for hope and an example of what real climate action looks like. After three years of work and leadership by grassroots advocates (like you!), Prairie Rivers Network, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, and Governor Pritzker, Illinois passed a groundbreaking, bipartisan climate bill this September.
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) is being lauded as the most equitable climate bill in the nation. CEJA tackles climate change and pollution by reducing carbon emissions, expands incentives for renewable energy, creates programs to support the training and growth of a diverse clean energy workforce, holds utilities accountable, and creates consumer protections. And it does these in a just and equitable way.
Illinois has made great strides in fighting climate change while centering equity, and we are setting an example. As members, you share in this year’s climate victory, just as you will share in the next one. PRN is committed to ensuring the successful and equitable implementation of CEJA. There is work to be done to make additional strides in tackling carbon pollution from the Prairie State Coal Plant, coal mining, transportation, buildings, and agriculture. We will also work to turn these state victories on climate into action at the federal level as well. We know you understand how important this is, and we thank you for all you’ve done to help get us here.
