Top Environmental Victories from 2022

Happy New Year from CleanChoice Energy! As we head into 2023, we want to highlight just a few of the many noteworthy climate achievements from 2022. Here are some of the top environmental victories that will make you feel hopeful for the future of our planet: 

1. The biggest climate and clean energy bill in U.S. history was signed

In August, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a monumental piece of legislation that includes the largest ever U.S. investment in clean energy. Tom Matzzie, CEO and founder of CleanChoice Energy, said “This is huge. The IRA will put the U.S. on a path to roughly 40% emissions reduction by 2030, representing the single biggest climate investment in U.S. history. The climate and energy investments included in the bill will bring down consumer energy costs and increase American energy security while substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The IRA contains the highest level and longest duration of energy incentives ever passed by Congress.”

2. Renewables made big progress

Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar achieved several exciting milestones this year. In the first half of this year, global electricity demand growth was met entirely by renewable energy sources, and the electric grids in both California and Greece both ran on 100% renewables for the first time this year. Renewable energy capacity growth worldwide is projected to double in the next 5 years—meaning the world will add as much renewable capacity in the next 5 years as it did in the last 20 years! The shift from fossil fuels towards clean, renewable energy sources is one of the most important ways we can fight climate change, so these types of milestones are great news for our planet.  

3. Electric cars are taking off

2022 was a huge year for EVs. The sales of new electric cars continued to rise, and automakers continued to announce new plans to create new EV models. In April, Ford launched an electric version of its F-150 truck—the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. Meanwhile, California, Washington, and even the European Union pledged this year to phase out gas-powered cars by 2035. And, thanks to new incentives such as the EV tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act, the future of EVs looks even brighter. A widespread shift from traditional gas-powered cars to fully electric vehicles would play a major role in reducing emissions and fighting climate change.

4. USPS is going all-electric 

The U.S. Postal Service announced in December that it will deploy at least 66,000 electric mail trucks by 2028 and that it will almost exclusively purchase zero-emissions vehicles by 2026. This will make the Postal Service the largest fleet of electric vehicles in the country. By electrifying its trucks, USPS will help reduce the amount of air pollution caused by diesel-powered trucks in neighborhoods throughout the entire country, helping every American benefit from cleaner air.

5. In an environmental justice win, a loss and damage fund was established at COP27

At COP27, the United Nations Climate Change Conference that took place in Egypt in November, a loss and damage fund was established to support the developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as droughts, floods, rising sea levels, and other disasters. While many were disappointed that there were not stronger pledges made at COP27 to phase out fossil fuels, the creation of the loss and damage fund is a big step towards bringing environmental justice to the places and people who have beared the brunt of climate change while contributing the least to it.

6. CleanChoice customers made a huge impact

This year alone, CleanChoice Energy customers have used more than 1.5 billion kilowatt hours of clean, renewable energy from wind and solar sources. That has the same environmental impact as planting more than 17 million trees, taking more than 233,000 cars off the road, or preventing more than 1.2 billion pounds of coal from being burned! By choosing 100% clean, pollution-free energy, CleanChoice customers help protect our planet every day and make a lasting, positive impact on the environment.

As we wrap up 2022, these victories (and many others) give us reason to feel hopeful for the future. Feeling inspired to do even more to help the planet in 2023? One of the easiest and most impactful ways you can make a positive impact on the environment is by choosing 100% clean, renewable energy from wind and solar sources for your home. Learn more about how you can sign up today and help create a better environment for future generations. Here’s to an even more sustainable 2023!