Welcome to our April Issue of the Local Climate Action Update. This was an important month. On Monday, April 22nd, 2024, over one billion people in some 192 countries came together to participate in the world’s 55th annual Earth Day festivities. Representing people from all walks of life, Earth Day resulted in renewed calls for a unified global effort to advance sustainability, meaningful climate action, and environmental justice. The people of Earth are confronting a planetary emergency – an existential crisis to the future of humanity that is climate change. The moment is urgent.  But fortunately, as demonstrated by this past Earth Day, we now have the numbers necessary to bring about deep structural transformations required to save the Planet. We're starting to see real change from our growing movement and its successes. One of the most important changes is seeing ourselves, and our communities, as powerful - and empowered - agents of change.

This month, we’re highlighting impactful new climate initiatives being implemented in the United States and around the world. This includes the growing momentum for local Green New Deals being implemented in American cities, aided in great part by the $2.2 trillion in Federal funding opportunities provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Justice40, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This is a historic opportunity that cannot be missed. View our new, comprehensive guide –  The Federal Funding Primer on Climate Justice – to see how your community can take advantage of these new opportunities. And as witnessed in Bogotá, Colombia, and countless other cities all over the world, exciting new climate justice initiatives are being introduced at a record pace.  There is reason for optimism that we can continue to build upon these successes and advance a truly transformational climate justice politics. 

In Solidarity,
Nina, Danny, M, and Nikki
Climate Justice Center Newsletter Team

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