Biden unveils environmental policies for U.S., world as he prepares for inauguration

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

As the world prepares for the transition of government from President Donald Trump to U.S. president –elect, Joe Biden, a lot of plans including plans for climate change and other environmental issues have been put in place by the incoming government.
Trump on Thursday, January 7, declared that he has committed to an “orderly transition” of power on Jan. 20.
Trump made the promise in a statement after Congress certified Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the country’s next president and vice-president.
“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on Jan. 20,” Trump said.
Environmental plans have already been laid down by Biden as Jan 20 draws closer.
Joe Biden knows there is no greater challenge facing U.S. and the world. That’s why he has outlined a bold plan, a Clean Energy Revolution, called the ‘’The Biden Plan For A Clean Energy Revolution And Environmental Justice’’ to address threats and lead the world in addressing the climate emergency.
As sourced from his website, here are environmental plans by Biden:

1. To Ensure the U.S. achieves a 100% clean energy economy and reaches net-zero emissions no later than 2050.
   On day one, Biden will sign a series of new executive orders with unprecedented reach that go well beyond the Obama-Biden Administration platform and put us on the right track. And, he will demand that Congress enacts legislation in the first year of his presidency that:
   a) Establishes an enforcement mechanism that includes milestone targets no later than the end of his first term in 2025,
   b) Makes a historic investment in clean energy and climate research and innovation,
   c) Incentivizes the rapid deployment of clean energy innovations across the economy, especially in communities most impacted by climate change.
2. Build a stronger, more resilient nation.
   On day one, Biden will make smart infrastructure investments to rebuild the nation and to ensure that our buildings, water, transportation, and energy infrastructure can withstand the impacts of climate change. Every dollar spent toward rebuilding our roads, bridges, buildings, the electric grid, and our water infrastructure will be used to prevent, reduce, and withstand a changing climate. As President, Biden will use the convening power of government to boost climate resilience efforts by developing regional climate resilience plans, in partnership with local universities and national labs, for local access to the most relevant science, data, information, tools, and training.
3. Rally the rest of the world to meet the threat of climate change.
   Climate change is a global challenge that requires decisive action from every country around the world. Joe Biden knows how to stand with America’s allies, stand up to adversaries, and level with any world leader about what must be done. He will not only recommit the United States to the Paris Agreement on climate change – he will go much further than that. He will lead an effort to get every major country to ramp up the ambition of their domestic climate targets. He will make sure those commitments are transparent and enforceable, and stop countries from cheating by using America’s economic leverage and power of example. He will fully integrate climate change into our foreign policy and national security strategies, as well as our approach to trade.
4. Stand up to the abuse of power by polluters who disproportionately harm communities of color and low-income communities.
   Vulnerable communities are disproportionately impacted by the climate emergency and pollution. The Biden Administration will take action against fossil fuel companies and other polluters who put profit over people and knowingly harm our environment and poison our communities’ air, land, and water, or conceal information regarding potential environmental and health risks. The Biden plan will ensure that communities across the country from Flint, Michigan to Harlan, Kentucky to the New Hampshire Seacoast have access to clean, safe drinking water. And he’ll make sure the development of solutions is an inclusive, community-driven process.
5. Fulfill our obligation to workers and communities who powered our industrial revolution and subsequent decades of economic growth.
   This is support they’ve earned for fueling our country’s industrial revolution and decades of economic growth. We’re not going to leave any workers or communities behind.
6. Tax Incentives
   The Biden plan will make a historic investment in our clean energy future and environmental justice, paid for by rolling back the Trump tax incentives that enrich corporations at the expense of American jobs and the environment. Biden’s climate and environmental justice proposal will make a federal investment of $1.7 trillion over the next ten years, leveraging additional private sector and state and local investments to total to more than $5 trillion. President Trump’s tax cut led to trillions in stock buybacks and created new incentives to shift profits abroad. Joe Biden believes we should instead invest in a Clean Energy Revolution that creates jobs here at home.
7. Reverse Trump’s excesses
   The Biden plan will be paid for by reversing the excesses of the Trump tax cuts for corporations, reducing incentives for tax havens, evasion, and outsourcing, ensuring corporations pay their fair share, closing other loopholes in our tax code that reward wealth not work, and ending subsidies for fossil fuels