Hello from Washington,
Yesterday, as a part of the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden signed into law the most ambitious proposals to fight climate change in our country’s history. Thanks in part to the tireless advocacy of outdoor companies and outdoorists across the country, all Americans can look toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. This is a historic win for the outdoors, the outdoor industry, the health of the planet, and the future of recreationists.
The $369 billion for climate solutions infrastructure will reduce our nation’s carbon emissions by 40% by 2030; invest in efforts to mitigate pollution and address environmental justice across the nation; and, will enact unprecedented efforts to incentivize the utilization of clean energy across both residences and the private sector to catalyze major change in the way Americans address their energy needs. Additional notable investments will fund crucial nature-based climate solutions, including agricultural subsidies to farmers who reduce emissions through climate-friendly farming practices and will address forest health and drought resilience. The impacts will be sweeping across the nation and will catalyze new programs across the federal, state, and local levels.
Simply put, OIA members helped make this happen:
- Over the past two years, outdoor companies, some for the first time, signed letters (read the December 2021 letter here, the May 2021 letter here, and the June 2022 letter here) in support of the Biden administration’s proposals to combat climate change and shared why this was so important for the outdoors and the outdoor economy;
- OIA members made the case for bold action on climate in a series of meetings with key congressional and administration officials on climate including Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland;
- Members attended OIA-hosted webinars and Outdoor Retailer education sessions on congressional action on climate and participated in conversations with Brenda Mallory, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), Chair of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Senator Angus King (I-ME) on how outdoor companies could help get these climate provisions signed into law.
So, what’s next? We will continue to advocate for the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps to help us transition to a cleaner economy, create jobs, preserve public lands, and to promote equity in the outdoors. We support the Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP), which we see as a pivotal step in moving away from fossil fuels, which still dominate 60% of the electricity sector in the United States. Finally, we will continue to call on Congress and the administration to push for enhanced, sustainable transportation in the form of e-bikes and other low-emission alternatives to lower on nation’s dependency on traditional energy sources.
While the Inflation Reduction Act is incredibly impactful for our industry and climate, it is just one step. There are several ways that you, as an OIA member, can get more involved in climate resiliency and advocacy for a clean energy future. We provide ongoing sustainability resources and programming to our members through the Climate Action Corps, which allows members to take into their own hands the efforts to continue to meet ambitious climate goals through measuring and planning, reducing and removing, and advocating for further climate action. Join OIA’s Corps for impact, engagement, and a better future. On the policy front, OIA’s government affairs team is continually working to ensure that interested members have the chance to learn about and opt into key advocacy priorities impacting our industry at the federal and state levels. Contact us today to learn more about how OIA members are making a positive environmental impact collectively and every day.
Thank you again to those of you who have utilized your voice to leverage the impact of our influence to support the health of the planet, people, and the industry. Today is a day to celebrate the enactment of this groundbreaking legislation, and an opportunity to dream big about the next opportunities to move toward a brighter future.
Never forget the power of our collective voices as a united outdoor industry.
Onward,
Richard W. Harper
Director of Government Affairs, Outdoor Industry Association
Special thank you to the OIA members who engaged in advocacy to secure this historic win for the outdoors, the outdoor industry, the health of the planet, and the future of recreationists:
22 Designs
Backpacker’s Pantry (American Outdoor Products)
BearVault
Bearclub Outfitters
Bemis
Big Agnes
Blackburn
Bolt Threads
Burton
CGPR
Carhartt
Compose[d]
Cross Current Insurance Group DHTC CO LTD
Darn Tough Vermont
Evo
Exxel Outdoors
flaik
Giro
GSI Outdoors, Inc.
Hydro Flask
Industrial Revolution
Jones Snowboards
K2 Sports
Kahtoola, Inc.
KEEN Footwear
Klean Kanteen
Krimson Klover
L.L.Bean, Inc.
La Sportiva N.A., Inc.
Lenzing
LightHeart Gear
MiiR
Minneapolis Southwest KOA Holiday
Mystery Ranch
NEMO Equipment, Inc.
New Balance
The North Face
Oberalp North America
The Orvis Company
Osprey Packs Inc.
Outdoor Research
Outside Inc.
Patagonia
Peak Design
PeopleForBikes
PolyCore Solutions
Public Lands
Quality Bicycle Products
REI Co-op
Ruffwear
Simms Fishing Products
Smartwool
Snow Peak
SRAM
Stanley, a Brand of PMI Worldwide
Superfeet Worldwide LLC
Toad&Co
True North Gear
Turtle Fur
VF Corp
Verde Brand Communications
WAYWARD
WeightMyRack LLC
Western Spirit Cycling
Weston Backcountry
YMCA Camp Shady Brook
