Historic Legislation Embraces Public Lands as a Critical Tool to Fight Climate Change

Today, Congress released legislative language for the Build Back Better Act, with a historic investment in climate change that elevates public lands as a key tool in addressing the nation’s pressing climate goals.

The legislation includes: a repeal of the Trump-era law to lease the sacred coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge to oil and gas companies; critical funding to restore and maintain the health of our national forests – including for the first-time dedicated funding to protect old mature forests that play a valuable role in natural carbon sequestration; long-overdue reform of the broken federal oil and gas leasing system including an end to non-competitive leasing and a methane emissions reduction program; and funding for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program to provide resources to ensure equitable access to parks in urban areas.

The Wilderness Society released the following statement from President, Jamie Williams:

“This legislation embraces public lands as a valuable tool in the fight against climate change, from providing a tangible opportunity for the United States to reduce a significant chunk of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in the nation’s natural carbon sequestration powerhouse of forests and wetlands, to ensuring places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge never endure an oil and gas lease sale again.”

“We now desperately need Congress to take action and push these policies forward, so that the United States can lead by example amongst the global community, rather than failing to live up to its potential.” 

CONTACT: 
Alex Thompson, Senior Communications Manager
alex_thompson@tws.org
(860) 416-0564