,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ich ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #bc1 #bjba,mr4 ,sanders introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to require the ,president to declare a national emergency relating to climate change under the ,national ,emergencies ,act1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,national ,climate ,emergency ,act of #bjba or the ,climate ,emergency ,act of #bjba4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 #bjaj to #bjai was the hottest decade on record2 7#b7 global atmospheric concentrations of the primary global warming pollutant1 carbon dioxide-- 7,a7 have increased by #dj percent since preindustrial times1 from #bhj parts per million to #dae parts per million1 primarily due to human activities1 including burning fossil fuels and deforestation2 7,b7 are rising at a rate of #b to #c parts per million annually2 and 7,c7 must be reduced to not more than #cej parts per million1 and likely lower1 if humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on ,earth is adapted1 according to former ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration climatologist1 ,dr4 ,james ,hansen2 7#c7 global atmospheric concentrations of other greenhouse gases1 including methane1 nitrous oxide1 and hydrofluorocarbons1 have also increased substantially since preindustrial times1 primarily due to human activities1 including burning fossil fuels2 7#d7 climate science and observations of climate change impacts1 including ocean warming and acidification1 floods1 droughts1 wildfires1 and extreme weather1 demonstrate that a global rise in temperatures of #a4e degrees ,celsius above preindustrial levels is already having dangerous impacts on human populations and the environment2 7#e7 the #bjah ,national ,climate ,assessment found that climate change due to global warming has caused1 and is expected to cause additional1 substantial interference with and growing losses to human health and safety1 infrastructure1 property1 industry1 recreation1 natural resources1 agricultural systems1 and quality of life in the ,united ,states2 7#f7 the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration has determined that climate change is already increasing the frequency of extreme weather and other climate-related disasters1 including drought1 wildfire1 and storms that include precipitation2 7#g7 climate-related natural disasters have increased exponentially over the past decade1 costing the ,united ,states more than double the long-term average during the period of #bjad through #bjah1 with total costs of natural disasters during that period of approximately #ajj1jjj1jjj1jjj per year2 7#h7 the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention have found wide-ranging1 acute1 and fatal public health consequences from climate change that impact communities across the ,united ,states2 7#i7 the ,national ,climate and ,health ,assessment of the ,united ,states ,global ,change ,research ,program identified climate change as a significant threat to the health of the people of the ,united ,states1 leading to increased-- 7,a7 temperature-related deaths and illnesses2 7,b7 air quality impacts2 7,c7 extreme weather events2 7,d7 numbers of vector-borne diseases2 7,e7 waterborne illnesses2 7,f7 food safety1 nutrition1 and distribution complications2 and 7,g7 mental health and well-being concerns2 7#aj7 the consequences of climate change already disproportionately impact frontline communities and endanger populations made especially vulnerable by existing exposure to extreme weather events1 including children1 the elderly1 and individuals with pre-existing disabilities and health conditions2 7#aa7 individuals and families on the frontlines of climate change across the ,united ,states1 including territories1 living with income inequality and poverty1 institutional racism1 inequity on the basis of gender and sexual orientation1 poor infrastructure1 and lack of access to health care1 housing1 clean water1 and food security are often in close proximity to environmental stressors or sources of pollution1 particularly communities of color1 indigenous communities1 and low-income communities1 which-- 7,a7 are often the first exposed to the impacts of climate change2 7,b7 experience outsized risk because of the close proximity of the community to environmental hazards and stressors1 in addition to collocation with waste and other sources of pollution2 and 7,c7 have the fewest resources to mitigate those impacts or to relocate1 which will exacerbate preexisting challenges2 7#ab7 according to ,dr4 ,robert ,bullard and ,dr4 ,beverly ,wright1 environmental and public health threats from natural and human-made disasters are not randomly distributed1 affecting some communities more than others1 therefore a response to the climate emergency necessitates the adoption of just community transition policies and processes available to all communities1 which include policies and processes rooted in principles1 as described in the #ag ,principles of ,environmental ,justice written and adopted at the ,first ,national ,people of ,color ,environmental ,leadership ,summit held on ,october #bd through #bg1 #aiia1 in ,washington1 ,,dc1 of racial and socio-economic equity1 self-determination1 and democracy1 as well as the fundamental human right of all people to clean air and water1 healthy food1 health care1 adequate land1 education1 and shelter2 7#ac7 climate change holds grave and immediate consequences not just for the population of the ,united ,states1 including territories1 but for communities across the world1 particularly those communities in the ,global ,south on the frontlines of the climate crisis1 which are at risk of forced displacement2 7#ad7 communities in rural1 urban1 and suburban areas are all dramatically affected by climate change1 though the specific economic1 health1 social1 and environmental impacts may be different2 7#ae7 the ,united ,states ,department of ,state1 ,department of ,defense1 and intelligence community have identified climate change as a threat to national security1 and the ,department of ,homeland ,security views climate change as a top homeland security risk2 7#af7 climate change is a threat multiplier with the potential-- 7,a7 to exacerbate many of the challenges the ,united ,states already confronts1 including conflicts over scarce resources1 conditions conducive to violent extremism1 and the spread of infectious diseases2 and 7,b7 to produce new1 unforeseeable challenges in the future2 7#ag7 in #bjah1 the ,united ,nations ,intergovernmental ,panel on ,climate ,change projected that the ,earth could warm #a4e degrees ,celsius above preindustrial levels as early as #bjcj2 7#ah7 the climatic changes resulting from global warming above #a4e degrees ,celsius above preindustrial levels1 including changes resulting from global warming of more than #b degrees ,celsius above preindustrial levels1 are projected to result in irreversible1 catastrophic changes to public health1 livelihoods1 quality of life1 food security1 water supplies1 human security1 and economic growth2 7#ai7 in #bjai1 the ,united ,nations ,intergovernmental ,science-,policy ,platform on ,biodiversity and ,ecosystem ,services found that human-induced climate change is pushing the planet toward the sixth mass species extinction1 which threatens the food security1 water supply1 and well-being of billions of people2 7#bj7 according to climate scientists1 limiting warming to no more than #a4e degrees ,celsius above preindustrial levels1 and likely lower1 is most likely to avoid irreversible and catastrophic climate change2 7#ba7 even with global warming up to #a4e degrees ,celsius above preindustrial levels1 the planet is projected to experience-- 7,a7 a significant rise in sea levels2 7,b7 extraordinary loss of biodiversity2 and 7,c7 intensifying droughts1 floods1 wildfires1 and other extreme weather events2 7#bb7 according to climate scientists1 addressing the climate emergency will require an economically just phase-out of the use of oil1 gas1 and coal in order to keep carbon1 which is the primary constituent of fossil fuels1 in the ground and out of the atmosphere2 7#bc7 the ,united ,nations ,intergovernmental ,panel on ,climate ,change has determined that limiting warming through emissions reduction and carbon sequestration will require rapid1 and immediate1 acceleration and proliferation of far-reaching1 multilevel1 and cross-sectoral climate mitigation and transitions in energy1 land1 urban and rural infrastructure 7including transport and buildings71 and industrial systems2 7#bd7 in the ,united ,states1 massive1 comprehensive1 and urgent governmental action is required immediately to achieve the transitions of those systems in response to the severe existing and projected economic1 social1 public health1 and national security threats posed by the climate crisis2 7#be7 the massive scope and scale of action necessary to stabilize the climate will require unprecedented levels of public awareness1 engagement1 and deliberation to develop and implement effective1 just1 and equitable policies to address the climate crisis2 7#bf7 the ,constitution of the ,united ,states protects the fundamental right to life1 liberty1 property1 and equal protection of the laws2 7#bg7 a climate system capable of sustaining human life is fundamental to a free and ordered society1 and is preservative of fundamental rights1 including the right to life1 liberty1 property1 personal security1 family autonomy1 bodily integrity1 and the ability to learn1 practice1 and transmit cultural and religious traditions2 7#bh7 the ,united ,states has a proud history of collaborative1 constructive1 massive-scale ,federal mobilizations of resources and labor in order to solve great challenges1 including the ,interstate ,highway ,system1 the ,apollo #aa ,moon landing1 ,reconstruction1 the ,new ,deal1 and ,world ,war ,,ii2 7#bi7 the ,united ,states stands uniquely poised to substantially grow the economy and attain social and health benefits from a massive mobilization of resources and labor that far outweigh the costs of inaction2 7#cj7 millions of middle class jobs can be created by raising labor standards through project labor agreements and protecting and expanding the right of workers to organize so that workers in the ,united ,states and the communities of those workers are guaranteed a strong1 viable economic future in a zero-emissions economy that guarantees good jobs at fair union wages with quality benefits2 7#ca7 frontline communities1 ,tribal governments and communities1 people of color1 and labor unions must be equitably and actively engaged in the climate mobilization1 in a way that aligns with the ,jemez ,principles for ,democratic ,organizing written and adopted at the ,working ,group ,meeting for ,globalization and ,trade held on ,december #f through #h1 #aiif1 in ,jemez1 ,mexico1 and prioritized through local climate mitigation and adaptation planning1 policy1 and program delivery so that workers in the ,united ,states1 the communities of those workers1 are guaranteed a strong1 viable economic future2 7#cb7 a number of local jurisdictions and governments in the ,united ,states1 including ,new ,york ,city and ,los ,angeles1 and across the world1 including the ,united ,kingdom1 the ,republic of ,ireland1 ,portugal1 and ,canada1 have already declared a climate emergency1 and a number of ,state and local governments are considering declaring a climate emergency2 7#cc7 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments must be supported in efforts to hold to account those actors whose activities have deepened and accelerated the climate crisis and who have benefitted from delayed action to address the climate change emergency and to develop a fossil fuel-free economy2 7#cd7 a collaborative response to the climate crisis will require the ,federal ,government to work with international1 ,state1 and local governments1 including with those governments that have declared a climate emergency1 to reverse the impacts of the climate crisis2 and 7#ce7 the ,united ,states has an obligation1 as a primary driver of accelerated climate change1 to mobilize at emergency speed to restore a safe climate and environment not just for communities of the ,united ,states1 including territories1 but for communities across the world1 particularly those on the frontlines of the climate crisis who have least contributed to the crisis1 and to account for global and community impacts of any actions it takes in response to the climate crisis4 #c4 ,emergency declaration 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall declare a national emergency under section #bja of the ,national ,emergencies ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afba7 relating to climate change4 7b7 ,response ,in response to the national emergency declared under subsection 7a71 the ,president shall ensure that the ,federal ,government-- 7#a7 invests in large-scale mitigation and resiliency projects1 including projects that-- 7,a7 upgrade public infrastructure to expand access to clean and affordable energy1 transportation1 high-speed broadband1 and water infrastructure1 with a particular focus on public systems2 7,b7 modernize and retrofit millions of homes1 schools1 offices1 and industrial buildings to reduce pollution and energy costs2 7,c7 invest in public health in preparation for1 and in response to1 increasingly extreme climactic events2 7,d7 protect and restore wetlands1 forests1 public land1 and other natural climate solutions2 7,e7 create opportunities for farmers and rural communities1 including by bolstering regenerative agriculture and investing in local and regional food systems that support farmers1 agricultural workers1 healthy soil1 and climate resilience2 7,f7 develop and transform the industrial base of the ,united ,states while creating high-skill and high-wage manufacturing jobs1 including by-- 7i7 expanding the manufacturing of clean energy technologies2 7ii7 reducing industrial pollution2 and 7iii7 prioritizing clean1 domestic manufacturing for the projects described in clauses 7i7 and 7ii72 and 7,g7 establish new employment programs1 as necessary1 to meet the goals of the projects described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,f72 7#b7 with respect to the investments made for projects described in paragraph 7#a71 enables-- 7,a7 a racially and socially just transition to a clean energy economy by ensuring that at least #dj percent of investments made under this subsection are to historically disadvantaged communities2 7,b7 the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions2 7,c7 resilience in the face of climate change impacts2 7,d7 support for small businesses1 particularly women-owned and minority-owned small businesses2 and 7,e7 the expansion of public services2 7#c7 avoids projects1 as described in paragraph 7#a71 that-- 7,a7 increase inequality2 7,b7 exacerbate1 or fail to reduce1 pollution at the source2 7,c7 violate human rights2 7,d7 privatize public land1 public water1 or natural resources2 7,e7 expedite the destruction of ecosystems2 or 7,f7 decrease union density or membership2 7#d7 with respect to the projects described in paragraph 7#a71 creates jobs that conform to labor standards that-- 7,a7 provide family-sustaining wages and benefits2 7,b7 ensure a safe workplace2 7,c7 protect the rights of workers to organize2 and 7,d7 prioritize the hiring of local workers to ensure wages stay within communities and stimulate local economic activity2 7#e7 prioritizes local and equitable hiring and contracting for the projects described in paragraph 7#a7 that create opportunities for-- 7,a7 communities of color and indigenous communities2 7,b7 women2 7,c7 veterans2 7,d7 individuals in the ,,lgbtqia community2 7,e7 individuals who are disabled or chronically ill2 7,f7 individuals who were formerly incarcerated2 and 7,g7 other marginalized individuals and communities2 7#f7 through the projects described in paragraph 7#a71 combats environmental injustice1 including by-- 7,a7 curtailing air1 water1 and land pollution from all sources2 7,b7 removing health hazards from marginalized communities2 7,c7 remediating the cumulative health and environmental impacts of toxic pollution and climate change2 7,d7 ensuring that affected communities have equitable access to public health resources that have been systemically denied to communities of color and indigenous communities2 and 7,e7 upholding the fundamental rights of all people in the ,united ,states to be free from the perils of climate change2 and 7#g7 reinvests in existing1 and creates new1 public sector institutions1 inspired by and improving on ,new ,deal-era public sector institutions by addressing historic inequities1 to strategically and coherently mobilize and channel investment at the scale and pace required by the national emergency declared under subsection 7a74 7c7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,president shall submit to ,congress a report describing actions taken in response to the national emergency declared under subsection 7a74