At the beginning of each Jewish month, we take a moment to lift up some good news about the transition to a clean energy economy. And there is progress!
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, offers $370 billion in vital climate funds – the largest ever investment in climate, green jobs, and environmental justice. Over the past eight months, Dayenu mobilized our constituency to take action to ensure that this money is reaching communities that need it most.
At the start of the month of Iyar (May 8-9 on the Gregorian calender), we focused on light from the sun, and the $7 billion being invested in Solar for All, a program to expand access to solar power in low-income communities.
For Nisan (April 9), the seventh month, we celebrated $27 billion for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a green bank to finance clean energy projects.
As we find ourselves in the intense heat of summer, we turn the spotlight on two new programs that address coastal regions and agricultural infrastructure.
Temperatures are rising, and so are we: Tammuz
On July 7, the month of Tammuz begins. Rashi, a well known rabbinic commentator, explains that Tammuz, the first of the summer months, takes its name from the Aramaic word for “heat.”
This Tammuz, as temperatures rise, we know how crucial it is to build more resilient communities in the face of record-breaking heat. Coastal communities in particular are vulnerable not only to extreme heat but to many harmful climate risks (such as flooding and deadly storms).
The National Organization for Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is distributing $575 million this summer, as part of the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge. The Challenge, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, supports collaborative projects that increase the resilience of coastal communities to extreme weather.
The Challenge focuses on four categories: reducing risk to coastal communities, working across geographic and organizational boundaries, ensuring those on the frontlines of the climate crisis are prioritized, and delivering long-term impact.
Protect a more resilient food system: Sivan
On June 7, the month of Sivan began. During Sivan, we celebrate Shavuot (this year, we invited you to explore Dayenu’s Climate Torah resources).
During Shavuot, Jews around the world celebrate the abundance of the wheat harvest and the giving of Torah (the five books of Moses) at Mt. Sinai.
During this season of physical and spiritual sustenance, we recognize how crucial a resilient food system is to all of us. The Inflation Reduction Act directed almost $20 billion to the agricultural sector to address the climate crisis and protect our food supply.
However, some Members of Congress are threatening to remove important climate protections and reallocate these funds.
Please take a moment to take action to protect historic climate investments in farmers and a food system that is flexible, resilient, and sustainable.
Join our friends at the Climate Reality Project to protect climate investments in farmers and a resilient food system.
Good policies enable us to build a clean energy future
If we want more good news, we need to invest at a big, systemic level — which requires climate champions in policymaking roles. Join us to ensure we get out the climate-concerned vote in the upcoming election.
Sign up for our Chutzpah campaign today!