The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passed the Senate this week. Thanks to Senator Tillis and his allies, this bill was heavily influenced by ExxonMobil and cut out billions of dollars in climate and care investments.

Senate Democrats also introduced a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package this week aimed at funding many of the priorities that were cut from the Infrastructure Bill. In light of the crises that have been unfolding this year and the recent IPCC report, we know that these investments are critical.

We are calling for Democrats to keep their promise to fight for climate justice, care jobs, and not spend a penny less than $3.5 trillion dollars. We need Representative Alma Adams to continue to fight for big investments in renewable energy, the care economy, public transit and buildings, and the Civilian Climate corps. We are asking for Representative Aams to stand with the Congressional Progressive Caucus and withhold a "yes" vote on the Infrastructure Bill in the House unless the Senate adopts a robust reconciliation budget that funds real solutions to the climate crisis.

We also need to get serious about addressing the climate crisis at the state level, which means that it's time for Roy Cooper to pick which side he's on- Thom Tillis and the fossil fuel execs, or Alma Adams and the people. And we don't just want empty words from him, we demand that he shows us which side he's on by immediately vetoing HB951.

The IPCC report was incredibly clear- we need to immediately invest in real climate solutions, put an end to fossil fuel emissions. Despite this and the fact that Huntersville, NC is the site of the largest gas spill in Carolina history, a catastrophe that has still yet to be cleaned up, Duke Energy is still pushing to build more pipelines.

We are at a crossroads in our nation and in our state. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to confront the climate crisis and create millions of good-paying union jobs in the process. The future we want to see is still possible. NC Climate Justice Collective is working with local residents and community groups to join the process of envisioning the world we want to live in.

Together, we’ll mobilize thousands of people across the country on August 19th so that this issue can’t be ignored and Congress returns to DC in the fall with a renewed directive to pass the biggest and boldest climate and care bill in history. It's time to abolish our dependence on gas and abolish fossil fuel infrastructure. It’s time for a Just Transition and a thriving future!