On January 25, 2021, US President Joe Biden signed another executive order, focusing specifically on climate change. He has signed dozens of these orders only a week into office, but this one marks a big change for the federal involvement contributing to climate change. President Biden’s administration wants all government agencies to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies while also halting all new oil and gas leases on public land.

“Unlike previous administrations, I don’t think the federal government should give handouts to big oil to the tune of forty billion dollars in fossil fuel subsidies.” President Biden said during his remarks.

The fossil fuel industry was quick to voice criticism, but President Biden responded with the decision to not ban fracking as a way to protect American jobs. Through his statements, it’s clear President Biden wants to address the climate change issue for the better of the country, comparing it to the epidemic spreading across America.

“Just like we need a unified national response to Covid-19, we desperately need a unified national response to the climate crisis.” President Biden said. “Because there is a climate crisis.”