As he steps into office this week, President-elect Joe Biden brings an ambitious plan to address climate change, and with Democrats in control of Congress for the first time in a decade, he may have the opportunity to accomplish some of his loftiest goals.
Several key things are lined up in Biden’s favor, the experts said.
For example, two major changes have occurred in the 10 years since President Barack Obama had a similar majority in Congress, said David Konisky, a professor at Indiana University's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
First, the climate problem has “taken on incredibly more urgency” as warming temperatures and rising seas create havoc and give scientists a better look at what’s to come, Konisky said. Second, the public is increasingly aware of climate change because of the excessive heat nationwide, wildfires in the West and more intense hurricanes along the Atlantic coast.
“That means there’s more pressure for President-elect Biden to do something,” he said.
