With the climate crisis continuing to grow, there is very limited time left to avoid some of the most catastrophic impacts of this crisis and tackle climate change. On January 27, President Biden signed an executive order stating, “together, we must listen to science and meet the moment.”

Part one of the executive order declares the climate crisis as a matter of national security and needs to be at the center of United States’ foreign policy. Significant reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions needs to happen now and development into net-zero global emission needs to happen by the mid-century, according to The White House. Biden also declares that the US will rejoin the Paris Agreement in this section of the executive order.

Part two of the executive order focuses on implementing new nation-wide policies to combat climate change. Biden wants to implement a government-wide approach to reduce pollution caused by every sector of the economy through the use of innovation, commercialization, and use of clean energy technologies. Biden will establish a National Climate Task Force which will be chaired by the National Climate Advisor.

Biden also includes the economic and health impacts that will result. He hopes that these efforts to rebuild the economy in a more equitable and sustainable way will bring more jobs. With new policies to improve air and water quality to reduce methane emissions and oil leaks, Biden hopes to create more well-paying union jobs, especially for women and people of color. He also plans to rebuild disadvantaged communities to achieve environmental justice by introducing new programs and policies.