Written By OEEC Staff
Faithful readers of this blog know that we often use this space to highlight timely issues relevant to sustainability and climate action. Today, we’re devoting this post to answering some of the most frequently asked questions that OEEC gets about environmental and energy topics.
We were going to limit it to 12 questions, but a ‘dirty dozen’ isn’t really on-brand for us. So, we added one more and made it a ‘clean thirteen.’
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Without further ado, you asked, we answered…
1. What is Fairfax County doing to address climate change?
Fairfax County has implemented several significant plans, policies, and initiatives to combat climate change and promote environmentally sound and energy-efficient practices. Among the most impactful are the Community-Wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) and Resilient Fairfax.
CECAP is a community-driven plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with ambitious goals to cut emissions in half by and achieve carbon neutrality by . This plan addresses the root causes of climate change by targeting emissions reductions across the community. Resilient Fairfax focuses on adapting to the effects of climate change, such as extreme heat, severe storms, and flooding, to help the county become more resilient to these changes.
In addition to these plans, Fairfax County encourages residents to engage in climate action through various online resources:
For more information about the results of the county's ongoing efforts, check out:
Beyond these initiatives, other county agencies like the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) and the Fairfax County Park Authority also focus on sustainability efforts, including solid waste management, stormwater management, and environmental conservation.
2. Does OEEC give presentations on the county’s climate action programs and resources?
Yes! OEEC staff are available to speak on topics related to the work of the office, including climate action, resilience, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies. We also provide information tables upon request.
To request a speaker for your meeting or event, simply complete the request form. Requests should be submitted no less than 4 weeks in advance of the scheduled event, whenever possible.
For more information, visit our Request a Speaker page.
3. Does Virginia have a rebate program for electric vehicles?
While a rebate program for EVs was established in Virginia, it remains unfunded. However, there are federal tax incentives that are available for the purchase of certain new and used electric vehicles.
New EVs may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500 and used EVs may be eligible for a federal tax credit of 30 percent of the sale price for a maximum of $4,000. Starting in , tax payers can opt to transfer their allowable Clean Vehicle Tax Credit to a registered dealer at point of sale.
You can find more information about these incentives on our Electric Vehicles web page.
4. My HOA will not allow me to run a cable from my house for charging my electric vehicle? What are my options?
While our office cannot provide legal advice, we can offer guidance on installing EV charging equipment. If you own your parking space, the "Right to charge " law allows you to install charging equipment on your property, though homeowners' associations can impose reasonable restrictions.
Virginia's adherence to the National Electrical Code (NEC) standards necessitates certain requirements, including a cord management system to keep cords off the ground, installation of a dedicated circuit by a licensed electrician in compliance with NEC article 625, and obtaining an EV charging permit along with scheduling an inspection for the new installation. Crossing sidewalks within privately owned sites and along privately maintained roadways, such as townhouse developments, are at the discretion of the owner or HOA.
For those without privately owned parking spaces, the Charge Up Fairfax program assists HOAs with installing community charging stations and will accept applications later this spring.
5. What are the green building or emission standards required of commercial buildings in Fairfax County?
Fairfax County cannot mandate emissions reductions or energy performance standards for commercial buildings, as localities in Virginia lack the authority from the state to set such requirements.
The county encourages developers, business owners, and other stakeholders to incorporate sustainability in their building designs and operations. To support these efforts, OEEC offers the Green Business Partners program, which recognizes and assists companies committed to sustainable practices that advance climate action and contribute to a carbon-neutral economy by providing relevant resources and support.
The county has set a net zero-energy standard for the design and construction of county-owned facilities — a critical component in achieving energy carbon neutrality in its operations by . Watch this Operational Energy Strategy in Action video to see how the county's commitment to green building design is helping to save money, reduce carbon emissions, and promote a healthier environment.
6. Are gas-powered leaf blowers harmful? And if so, why doesn’t Fairfax County ban them?
Operating at 200 miles per hour, gas-powered blowers emit pollutants in the form of chemicals, dust and noxious fumes that warm our climate and degrade our air quality. They also emit noise levels at or above 90 decibels — a risk both to the person operating the machinery and to those nearby.
Much like with the building energy standards, Fairfax County doesn’t have the statutory authority to outlaw gas-powered leaf blowers. But the county does recognize the harm they can cause to the environment and human health.
Fortunately, there are environmentally friendly alternatives, such as electric lawn equipment, which includes battery-powered and plug-in leaf blowers that are more cost-effective. Additionally, adopting natural lawn landscaping practices, such as letting leaves decompose or composting lawn debris, can enrich the soil and eliminate the need for harmful gas-powered tools.
Fairfax County is also teaming up with Clean Air Partners to offer a lawn tool exchange at several events this spring. Stay tuned for more details soon!
For more information on this topic, visit the county’s Electric-Powered Lawn Equipment page.
7. What is Dark Sky lighting and what is Fairfax County doing to support it?
Light pollution, primarily driven by artificial light at night (ALAN) such as streetlights and billboards, manifests as "sky glow," the unnatural brightening of the night sky.
Dark sky lighting offers a solution by using fully shielded, amber-colored lights directed downward and dimmed to the necessary brightness, often controlled by timers or motion sensors. This approach improves safety, enhances sleep by preserving natural circadian rhythms, protects wildlife by reducing disruptions to their natural behaviors, promotes relaxation, and conserves energy.
Individuals can support this effort by adopting dark sky-friendly lighting practices at home, participating in local Dark Sky conservation groups, and supporting the “Lights Out for Birds” campaign led by the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance.
To learn more about this topic, read our blog post on Dark Sky lighting and visit Fairfax County’s Dark Skies page.
8. Is the Energy Conservation Assistance program available only to community associations, or can individual homeowners apply?
The Energy Conservation Assistance Program is a cost-share reimbursement program that provides financial and technical assistance to property owners implementing energy efficiency updates, installing renewable energy solutions or enhancing the resilience of structures and property to withstand the impacts of climate change. Eligibility at this time is limited to property owned by common-interest communities such as homeowners associations/community associations, faith organizations and non-profit organizations.
For homeowners looking to do energy upgrades, there are a number of resources that may assist including the new Sustain Fairfax Challenge site. This user-friendly website provides personalized resources and actionable tips to help community members take climate friendly actions, including performing energy checkups, installing new appliances and HVAC systems, and completing weatherization projects.
OEEC also has a webpage dedicated to home energy which includes a section on energy assistance programs, tax Incentives and rebates offered by the federal, state and county government, as well as local utilities.
We also encourage you to join us at the Healthy Homes Fair in DC on May 10 to learn more about the products, services, and incentives available to use our homes to combat climate change while increasing health and comfort. The jam-packed program will include over 100 exhibitors, induction cooking demonstrations, caulking workshops, and incentives calculator demos, equipping both renters and homeowners with the knowledge and tools they need to decarbonize their homes!
9. I’m interested in making energy upgrades to my home. Do you have a referral list for solar installers or home energy contractors?
Although we cannot provide referrals for solar or home energy contractors, our office does promote two solar group purchasing programs operating in Northern Virginia — Solarize and Switch Together — in which the solar installers are selected through a competitive bidding by the organizing non-profits. Likewise, Community Housing Partners (CHP), the state-authorized weatherization contractor for our region, maintains a list of authorized contractors and service partners who share their (and our) interest in climate-friendly approaches.
Additionally, our Going Solar page offers information to help you identify reputable companies. If approached by a door-to-door salesperson, we advise asking for their county-issued license before engaging. Additional details about door-to-door solicitors are available on the Fairfax County website.
10. I received a letter about a solar program called Switch Together which included the county seal. Why did I receive this letter and is it legitimate?
You received this letter because your home is in an area eligible for Switch Together, a county-supported group-buying program for rooftop solar. The letter provides details on how you can explore solar at a discounted rate with no obligation.
The Switch Together program (formerly Solar Switch) uses publicly available data from Google’s Project Sunroof, which estimates solar potential based on roof size, orientation, and shading from nearby trees or building. If you already have solar, you can disregard this mailing. Please reach out to with your address details if you would like to be removed from the mailing list.
OEEC also works with the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) to promote Solarize Virginia, another group purchasing program that helps homeowners get a rooftop solar system at a discounted price.
Both programs are currently accepting sign-ups, which include a free solar assessment. These programs support Fairfax County’s efforts to encourage the use of clean, renewable energy to power our homes and businesses and reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Visit our Going Solar page to learn more about these programs.
11. Where can I dispose of my old TV or refrigerator?
Household appliances, when broken or outdated, become e-waste, of which only a small percentage is responsibly recycled globally. Instead of discarding them, there are several ways to handle these appliances responsibly.
Reusing is one option — older, working appliances can be donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, or local thrift stores. Repairing is another viable option, as many appliances can be fixed with some troubleshooting, consulting manuals, or seeking professional help. Fairfax County also hosts Fix-It Clinics where volunteers assist in repairing small household appliances.
For appliances that can no longer be reused or repaired, recycling is the best option. If your trash or recycling hauler doesn’t accept the item, appliances are accepted for electronic recycling at the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex. with special provisions for appliances containing refrigerants.
See the Residents' Facility Guide for information about disposal fees and regulations. If you have further questions on what can be recycled or dropped off at the landfill, please visit the webpage Recycle or Trash- What Goes Where?
12. Has any analysis been done as to whether the 5 cent plastic bag tax is changing behavior by encouraging the use of reusable bags?
The most comprehensive data comes from plastic bag tax revenues, which shows a steady decrease in plastic bag use since the tax's implementation with an estimated decrease of 1.5 million bags in compared to the same period in .
The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) monitors water-borne litter, or "floatables," as part of the County's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. This monitoring is conducted quarterly at five representative sites and aims to estimate floatable discharge rates in stormwater.
While this program was not initially designed to assess the effectiveness of the Plastic Bag Tax, DPWES and the Clean Fairfax Council are collaborating to perform a more detailed analysis of the floatable monitoring data, with results expected by July . Initial observations indicate a decrease in plastic shopping bags observed during MS4 litter surveys following the tax implementation.
The county will continue to monitor these trends as an indicator of consumer behavior, looking to see if both pollution levels and revenue continue to fall over time.
13. Are there any volunteer or paid positions available at OEEC?
While our office does not currently have any available positions, we encourage job-seekers to visit the Fairfax County’s jobs page for notices of both current openings and non-merit/seasonal jobs.
For individuals looking to volunteer their services, the county’s Volunteer site provides a list of opportunities that might match a person’s interests and work availability.
1. What is global warming?
2. What causes global warming?
3. What is climate change? Is it different from global warming?
4. What is a climate change impact?
5. What does global warming have to do with severe weather, like storms, heat waves, droughts, and hurricanes?
6. If global warming is real, why is it so cold and snowy this winter? (The difference between climate and weather.)
7. What does global warming have to do with rising sea levels?
8. What is ocean acidification?
9. What does production of meat and dairy products have to do with climate change?
10. What does climate change have to do with health?
11. How does climate change affect the food supply?
12. What is a carbon footprint, and how can I reduce my carbon footprint?
13. What are renewable sources of energy?
14. What is energy efficiency?
15. What is climate change adaptation?
16. What is climate change mitigation?
17. What is climate change resilience?
18. What is the United States doing to address climate change?
19. What are corporations doing to combat climate change?
20. What is the United Nations doing to combat climate change?
21. What is climate finance?
22. Is there hope that we will be able to address climate change before it is too late?
Other recommended climate change FAQs elsewhere on the web
This FAQ was last updated in February
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(PDF with endnotes)
Global warming refers to the increase in average global temperature since the Industrial Revolution. The average global temperature has increased by about one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) since . Global warming is an ongoing process; scientists expect the average global temperature to rise an additional 0.3 to 0.7 degrees Celsius (0.54–1.26 degrees Fahrenheit) through .
Certain gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap the sun's heat in Earth’s atmosphere. These greenhouse gases (GHGs) exist naturally in the atmosphere and help keep the Earth’s surface warm enough to sustain life. Without greenhouse gases, the average temperature on Earth would be zero degrees Fahrenheit, instead of today's roughly 58.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
Human activities, notably the burning of fossil fuels (i.e., coal, natural gas, and oil) to power vehicles, factories, and homes, release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Other activities, including deforestation (cutting down trees) and raising livestock, also emit greenhouse gases.
Higher concentrations of these greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap more heat on Earth, causing an anthropogenic (i.e., human-caused) rise in global temperatures. Climate scientists agree that human activity is the main driver behind the global warming we are experiencing.
The terms climate change and global warming are often used interchangeably, but climate change broadly refers to persistent changes in average weather (e.g., temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, atmospheric pressure, ocean temperature, etc.) while global warming narrowly refers to a rise in the Earth’s average global temperature.
Climate change can refer to natural fluctuations in the Earth’s average temperature throughout geologic time, between cold periods (glacial periods, known as ice ages) and warm periods (interglacial periods).
The climate change we are currently experiencing, however, is caused by human activity (see question 2). Scientists have concluded that, over the last 50 years, the Earth’s surface should have been cooling slightly based on natural factors, like solar intensity and volcano activity; instead, the increased burning of fossil fuels has led to global warming—and at a significantly faster rate than at any time over the last 800,000 years.
The rise in average global temperatures because of human activities has many impacts on the planet, including more intense and frequent droughts and storms, melting glaciers and ice sheets, rising sea levels, warming oceans, and ocean acidification (see question 8). People around the world are already feeling the impact of climate change on the environment. Changing weather patterns can ruin crops and cause serious water shortages. Rising sea levels are threatening low-lying islands and coastal cities. Tropical and insect-borne diseases are spreading as their hosts move into new habitats that were previously too cold for them to survive.
Climate change represents a significant threat to the health and well-being of human societies, especially in communities that lack resources and are therefore ill-equipped to deal with the effects of a warmer climate.
A rise in global temperatures increases the severity and likelihood of storms, floods, wildfires, droughts, and heat waves. In a warmer climate, the atmosphere can collect, retain, and drop more water, leading to changing precipitation patterns. Increased precipitation can help support agriculture, but precipitation is increasingly coming in the form of more intense single-day storms, which damage property, infrastructure, and lead to loss of life in impacted areas. Over the past few decades, the United States has experienced more heat waves and fewer cold waves. Since the s, the length of the heat wave season has increased in many cities by more than 40 days. Today, major U.S. cities average more than six heat waves per year, while in the s, the average was two heat waves per year. Global warming also results in warmer sea surface temperatures because the majority of the heat trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean. Warmer sea surface temperatures make it easier for hurricanes to form. Because of human-caused global warming, it is expected that the rainfall rates from hurricanes will increase, the intensity of hurricanes will increase, and the proportion of storms that reach a Category 4 or 5 level will increase.
It is difficult for researchers to attribute a specific weather event to global warming. Nevertheless, climate scientists are confident that higher average global temperatures are making extreme weather more likely and severe. The United States is seeing a clear increase in the number of destructive weather and climate disasters combined with increased development in coastal and river floodplains (i.e., more people and infrastructure in these areas to be impacted). The table below from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows the number and impact of billion-dollar disasters by decade from -.
Source: National Centers for Environmental Information, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The key to understanding the answer to this question is the difference between weather and climate. Weather is what is happening outside today, while climate is an area's typical weather. It might be raining in Los Angeles today, but typically the city's climate is dry. As the average global temperature increases, winters are more likely to be shorter and less snowy. However, there are still cold days and colder than average years due to changes in atmospheric circulation associated with weather patterns.
For snow to occur, moisture and freezing air temperatures must be present. Both these conditions are still likely in the winter, especially in areas that experience temperatures well below freezing (so even if you increase the average temperature of that location, many winter days will still be below freezing). Therefore, global warming does not prevent snowy winters. In fact, in some areas, global warming may result in more intense winter storms. For example, because the increase in sea surface temperature feeds more intense storms, it is likely that places like the Northeast United States will see more intense winter storms (although they may be more infrequent). Scientists expect, on average, winters to become shorter as global temperatures continue to rise, which is likely to result in fewer snowy days overall.
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Global warming contributes to rising sea levels in two main ways. First, warmer temperatures cause glaciers and land-based ice sheets to rapidly melt, which moves water from land to the ocean. Areas experiencing significant ice melt include Greenland, the Antarctic, and mountain glaciers around the world.
Second, thermal expansion, the process by which warmer water takes up more space, is causing the ocean to increase in volume, which leads to rising sea levels.
Other factors affect sea levels, and the combination of all these factors leads to different rates of sea level rise across the planet. Local factors that can cause the sea level to rise faster in certain areas include ocean currents and sinking ground surfaces (known as subsidence).
Since , global average sea level has increased by eight and nine inches. Under a low-emissions scenario, models project that sea level rise will increase about one foot above levels by the end of the century. Under a high-emissions scenario, sea level could rise more than eight feet above levels by . In either case, this would increase the risk of coastal flooding and endanger millions of people living in low-lying coastal areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
The ocean is a central component of the carbon cycle. Carbon constantly cycles between the ocean, land, and atmosphere (this is called the carbon flux). Sea water absorbs 25 to 30 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. As humans introduce more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (see question 2), the ocean is absorbing a greater volume of carbon dioxide. This changes the ocean's chemical composition and is referred to as ocean acidification. The pH value of the ocean has decreased by 0.1 pH units, which is about a 30 percent increase in acidity. This change is enough to affect many marine organisms. For example, acidification stunts shellfish shell formation and can even cause shells to dissolve.
Source: EPA
Livestock contribute to climate change both directly, through their digestive processes, and indirectly, because of the vegetation that is cleared to make room for animal agriculture.
Agriculture as a whole is responsible for 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Global agricultural emissions come from the digestive process of ruminant animals (such as cows, sheep, and goats), manure left on pastures, synthetic fertilizers, rice cultivation, burning to clear land, and soil and crop residue management.
Livestock, especially cattle, produce methane through their digestion. Livestock manure also emits methane. Taken together, livestock and manure emissions are responsible for 38 percent of total U.S. methane emissions. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that has 25 times the heat trapping impact of carbon dioxide over a 100-year time period.
Forests have often been cut down or burned to obtain land for livestock production, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and destroys a natural carbon absorber. Economic development and population growth are leading to greater meat and dairy consumption worldwide, making livestock a rising contributor to climate change. There are ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock operations, including capturing methane from manure and changing animal feeding practices.
Rising global temperatures exacerbate heat-related diseases, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, as well as cardiovascular, respiratory, and kidney diseases. Extreme heat kills about 618 people in the United State every year. Since , more people have died of extreme heat in the United States than from cold snaps, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes.
Climate change also impacts food-borne diseases because higher temperatures can increase the abundance and range of many pathogens, as well as their growth rates and survivability.
Water availability and water-borne illnesses are also impacted by climate change. Regions that depend on snow melt for drinking water may have less available water, since less snow is accumulating during the winter. Increased flooding caused by extreme weather events can intensify water-borne diseases by providing standing water that acts as a breeding ground for insects. Flooding can also lead to more contaminated water that is unsafe to drink or bathe in. Warmer temperatures have caused increased toxic algae blooms in lakes in some parts of the country.
Changes in climate will also affect where disease vectors (such as insects, snails, and other cold-blooded animals) can live by extending or shifting their ranges and the length of the transmission season.
By increasing the frequency and intensity of droughts, floods, and storms, climate change can impact farmers’ ability to grow crops and the infrastructure necessary to transport and store food supplies. Changes in seasonal weather patterns that farmers are accustomed to also make it more difficult for them to plan their plantings and harvests. Warming ocean temperatures are causing range shifts for fish and shellfish species, which, in turn, impact fisheries.
Though plants need carbon dioxide to grow, higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are not necessarily beneficial for agriculture. Researchers have found that higher levels of carbon dioxide result in crops with lower nutritional value.
A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon emitted by the actions of a person, group, household, organization, or activity over a given time period, primarily due to the consumption of fossil fuels. The more fossil fuels are consumed during an activity, the larger the carbon footprint (for example, flying results in a larger carbon footprint than taking a train to cover the same distance). Activities that are part of the natural carbon cycle, such as breathing, are not counted. A carbon footprint can also include emissions of other greenhouse gases, such as methane (in which case, their contribution is usually calculated based on their carbon equivalent).
Reducing or offsetting greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy, and adopting sustainable practices is the best way to reduce one's carbon footprint. Simple things like taking public transportation, using light emitting diode (LED) light bulbs, and reducing food waste are just a few of the many ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and fight climate change. For more easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint, see EESI's Get Involved page.
Source: EIA ()
Renewable sources of energy come from natural resources—like sunlight, plant matter (biomass), geothermal activity, water, and wind—that are not depleted when used (or can be regrown, in the case of plant matter). In contrast, nonrenewable sources of energy—like fossil fuels—are finite resources that cannot be easily replenished when consumed. Renewable energy is also a low- or zero-carbon source of energy.
Common sources of renewable energy are solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro power as well as certain forms of biomass. Renewable technologies like wind turbines and solar panels have become increasingly competitive in energy markets as their production costs continue to fall. Renewable energy currently accounts for 17.6 percent of the electricity generated in the United States. Increasing global investment in renewable energy technologies has been acknowledged by the overwhelming majority of climate change experts and world leaders to be an essential strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy efficiency means using less energy to perform the same task or eliminating energy waste. Energy efficiency brings a variety of benefits: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing demand for energy imports, and lowering costs on a household and economy-wide level. Improving energy efficiency is the cheapest–and often the most immediate–way to reduce the use of fossil fuels. There are enormous opportunities for efficiency improvements in every sector of the economy, whether it is buildings, transportation, industry, or energy generation.
Climate adaptation means adjusting to the current and expected impacts of climate change. It can apply to habitats, but also to societies and economies. Adaptation usually involves preparing for harmful effects (such as rising sea levels and more frequent and intense extreme weather), but it can also prepare communities to benefit from climate change opportunities. Examples of climate adaptations include changing crop planting and harvesting patterns to align with a new climatic zone, moving homes away from a coastline or putting those homes on stilts, and planting trees in cities to decrease intense heat made worse by the urban heat island effect. Nature-based solutions are an important form of climate adaptation. Examples of nature-based solutions include the tree example above, green roofs which absorb storm water and reduce temperatures, and living shorelines that can absorb storm surge during extreme weather events.
Climate mitigation means reducing or stabilizing the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This can be done by removing carbon from the atmosphere, for example by expanding forested land, or by emitting fewer greenhouse gases.
Resilience is the ability of a system to absorb, withstand, and bounce back after an adverse event. In an environmental context, it is the collection of policies, infrastructure, services, transportation, energy systems, and planning that positions communities to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.
Communities that plan with resilience in mind are better able to adapt and thrive in the face of a changing climate. For the communities that are most vulnerable to climate impacts, planning for resilience can prevent displacement or facilitate planned relocation and reduce devastating financial losses and fatalities. Resilience measures are starting to be including in policies and designs by U.S. agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The United States has taken steps (both at the federal and state levels) to address climate change by increasing the nation’s use of renewable energy and curbing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency initiatives and carbon pollution standards.
The 116th Congress focused Capitol Hill’s attention on climate change. The leaders of the House of Representatives created the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis to recommend climate policies, and House and Senate Standing Committees held at least 134 hearings related to climate change and the environment in and at least 79 hearings in . However, the legislative branch has yet to pass significant legislation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience to climate impacts.
Many states, including the 24 states that are members of the U.S. Climate Alliance, are moving forward with policies to curb carbon emissions and favor renewable energy and energy efficiency. As of July , 23 states and the District of Columbia have set their own greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Economic trends have also helped the United States reduce its carbon emissions. Natural gas and renewable energy have become much cheaper, and are increasingly being used to generate electricity instead of coal (coal is a major source of carbon emissions). Thanks to this transition away from coal, U.S. emissions from the power sector are at their lowest point since . The power sector has been replaced by the transportation sector as the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, representing 28 percent of the total in .
In , the United States signed and ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change, joining with almost every country in the world to limit global warming to “well below 2 degrees Celsius” (3.6 Fahrenheit) in the 21st century. But in November , the Trump Administration announced it was starting the process to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement—a step completed in November . President Joe Biden announced the United States would rejoin the Paris Agreement on January 20, , and the Paris Agreement will enter into force for the United States on February 19, .
Investors and companies across the globe are embracing the shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy. Many large corporations have all stepped up to show their public support for U.S. carbon cutting efforts and have invested in projects combating climate change. More than 1,000 companies have signed a letter that endorses the Paris Agreement on climate change.
In , nearly 400 institutional investors, which collectively managed over $24 trillion in assets, also wrote in support of the Paris Agreement, encouraging governments to expand low-carbon fuel sources, establish carbon prices, and eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. By , this group grew to 631 institutional investors managing more than $37 trillion in assets. Moody's, whose ratings play an essential role in financial markets, now includes climate risk in its corporate ratings.
The United Nations has been instrumental in facilitating international negotiations on efforts to combat climate change through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The UNFCCC brings together 197 members, including all U.N. member states, for work sessions throughout the year. During the annual Conference of the Parties (COP), nations share information on emissions, policies, and practices, and attempt to develop strategies for addressing climate change. The IPCC consults experts to assess climate change science and presents policy-relevant information outlining how nations can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impact and risks of this global threat.
In , the members of the UNFCCC negotiated the Kyoto Protocol, a legally binding agreement that compelled developed nations to reduce greenhouse emissions over the course of two commitment periods (- and -). At the Conference of the Parties, countries adopted the Paris Agreement on climate change. The Paris Agreement entered into force in November , less than a year after it was adopted. As of August , 189 parties (188 countries plus the European Union) have ratified the Paris Agreement. The parties agree to limit global warming to “well below 2 degrees Celsius” (3.6 Fahrenheit) this century. Participating countries are expected to submit their own country-specific emission reduction targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions.
In , the United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are meant to serve as a blueprint for action on critical development issues, such as ending poverty and hunger. Goal number 13 (SDG 13) is "Climate Action," which calls on nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to prepare their communities for the impacts of climate change. The need to address climate change is also woven throughout the other goals.
Climate finance is the investment of private or public money into programs, actions, and projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to climate impacts. Different entities exist at the international, national, and local levels to facilitate the mobilization and deployment of climate finance. For example, the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund are two major climate finance vehicles at the international level, and green banks and infrastructure authorities play a similar role in states across the United States. These entities receive their funding from a variety of sources, including grants from governments, private organizations, public benefit funds, bonds, and carbon pricing mechanisms (e.g., the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in the Northeast United States or California’s cap and trade program). Climate finance facilities use a variety of financing mechanisms to invest their funds, including loans, public-private partnerships, power purchasing agreements, and on-bill financing.
Climate finance facilitates the deployment of the large-scale investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy needed to reduce emissions, as well as the investments in climate adaptation and resilience needed to help communities prepare for the harmful impacts of climate change.
EESI provides no-cost technical support for utilities and related stakeholders to develop, implement, and fund on-bill financing programs (a climate financing mechanism). This initiative helps families and businesses, particularly in rural areas, afford clean energy resources, such as solar energy and energy efficiency, to cut their energy bills and improve their comfort—all with no upfront costs. EESI accomplishes this by working with utilities and local and national partners, including green banks, to establish on-bill financing programs in which the utility or a partner organization pays for the clean energy upgrades. These costs are then repaid through a monthly charge on the recipient’s utility bill over time, using a portion of the savings generated by the upgrades. Installing these upgrades helps families reduce carbon emissions, generate clean energy, and create economic development, all while promoting a healthy environment.
Even though climate change is a pressing threat that is not going away, we can have a significant impact on how it affects us in the near future. By investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency, people, communities, businesses, and governments can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reaching the atmosphere and slow global warming. This will help minimize the consequences of climate change in the present and for future generations.
In addition, through adaptation and resilience efforts, we can and must prepare an infrastructure built to withstand the impacts of climate change, protecting the lives of millions of people currently living in vulnerable areas. Such investments will also greatly reduce the costs of extreme weather events and other disasters. We know what needs to be done, and that is a critical step in the right direction!
Author of Updates: Anna McGinn
Editor: Amaury Laporte
Authors and editors of earlier versions of this FAQ:
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