Mother Jones, “7 Ways Biden Can Fight Climate Change Without Any Help from Congress" (June 23, 2020)

In this article, journalist Rebecca Leber argues that Biden must utilize his executive powers to bypass congressional obstruction in order to achieve his ambitious climate change goals. According to members of the environmental community and former Obama administration, Biden must 1) reinstate over 101 environmental safeguards undermined in the Trump era; 2) deter oil companies from drilling on public land by increasing fees or royalties; 3) establish an environmental advisory position which focuses on environmental and racial justice by partnering with state governments; 4) curtail the financial industry’s investment in fossil fuels; 5) push for expansive investment in federal clean energy infrastructure; 6) raise energy efficiency standards of appliances (such as water heaters); 7) fulfill the ambitious 100 percent clean energy target by 2035, which includes U.S. vehicles; and 8) walk a fine line between action and diplomacy to enlist the aid of both Congress and the courts.