With a bipartisan infrastructure bill heading towards passage in the Senate, Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Founder and CEO of Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action issued the following statement:
“Now is not the time for photo-ops and symbolic victories. We need our elected leaders to meet the moment and address the climate crisis, the existential threat of our lifetimes. We are facing a climate emergency that is accelerating before our very eyes: from wildfires in the West, extreme heat and deteriorating air quality across the country, historic flooding in the Midwest, and intensifying storms along the East Coast. During the Jewish month of Elul, we blow the shofar each day, stirring our souls in preparation for the High Holidays. In 5782, Congress must Hear the Call and take decisive action to pass an ambitious budget reconciliation bill with historic investments in and incentives for renewable energy, a Clean Energy Standard, and targeted funding for communities impacted by environmental racism and injustice. We cannot afford anything less. The time for Congress to act on climate is now.”
“While this infrastructure legislation will lead to long-overdue investments in our country’s drinking water systems, transportation, and communications, it falls short, delivering paltry investments at a time when bold action is critical. This bill entirely excludes critical investments in clean energy, energy-efficient housing, education, and care and it’s investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, electric school buses, and lead service line replacement are insufficient. In short: It does not deliver the transformative change we so desperately need if we are to build a just and sustainable future.”