Global warming presents the most important environmental challenge of our generation. In the past, the United States has responded to environmental dangers only after a crisis occurs. Burning rivers, abandoned drums of hazardous waste and massive oil spills each resulted in new environmental legislation. Yet unprecedented drought in the western United States, intense hurricanes and floods, and rising sea levels have to date not engendered the same widespread support for action as occurred in previous crises.

The international community has responded more aggressively, although the sufficiency of its efforts is in doubt. In November 2022, the United Nations Climate Change 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) recognized the importance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F) to avoid the most serious effects of climate change, and “devasting economic and noneconomic losses.” The parties recognized that achieving this goal will require reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions of 43% by 2030 relative to the 2019 emissions level. Annual global investments in renewable energy of at least $4 trillion until 2030 are necessary to reach the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. This staggering sum needed to transform economies from reliance on fossil fuels is separate from the amounts the parties committed at COP27 for payments to vulnerable countries for loss and damage funding.

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