I’ve experienced the climate emergency firsthand. Increasing wildfires and the associated smoke related to climate change motivated me and my husband to leave Nevada, our home for 40 years, to seek refuge in New Hampshire. We are the fortunate ones. Many Americans are suffering and even dying from climate-related fires, smoke, heat, and hurricanes. Scientists are voicing the alarm and encouraging an all-out national effort to stave off a full-blown climate catastrophe. The proposed Build Back Better (BBB) act is Biden’s attempt to do that. It provides hope to millions of Americans, including West Virginians, who, according to a recent New York Times article, suffer the worst climate-related flooding in the US.

Given what’s at stake, it’s depressing that Senator Manchin (West Virginia) was able to get a major part of that bill eliminated that would have incentivized utility companies to source more clean renewable energy. Wouldn’t Mr. Manchin do better by his constituents including coal miners by working to fund a transition to clean energy jobs?

While talking to a friend about my disenchantment with the watered-down bill, she reminded me, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” What’s “good” is that the BBB will substantially increase tax benefits for electric vehicles and renewable installations. Although it’s doubtful that the modified BBB spending will be enough, I continue to call Congress to press for the strongest climate package possible and encourage others to do the same. Given what’s at stake, don’t you think we must?