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By Trevor Higgins, Rachel Chang, & Devon Lespier

From comprehensive legislation to ambitious executive action, the Biden administration has set the United States on a new course of climate action. Not only does this mark a profound break from the policies of the Trump administration, but it also amounts to more action on climate than any other administration in history.

This column details just nine of the many ways the Biden administration has pushed forward its ambitious climate agenda, from boosting the clean energy sector to prioritizing environmental justice.

1. Setting a goal that gets the job done on eliminating emissions

Building a 100 percent clean energy economy requires clear goals to guide its critical decisions. The Biden administration is the first to embrace the goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by midcentury in order to stabilize global temperatures at 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming. - CLICK STORY TO READ MORE

By Trinh Q. Truong & Silva Mathema

DACA recipients collectively earn nearly $27.9 billion and contribute nearly $2.1 billion to Social Security and Medicare each year, making the economy and their communities stronger. Since its creation in 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has been a lifeline to more than 835,000 immigrants pursuing their dreams in America. Through its temporary but renewable protections, current recipients have been able to remain with their families and live free from the fear of deportation. Additionally, the work authorization eligibility provision of DACA has opened doors for recipients, enabling them to pursue education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

DACA recipients are deeply embedded in the fabric of American society—as spouses and parents of U.S. citizens, as active community members, and as workers and entrepreneurs benefiting local and national economies. In fact, current DACA recipients have lived in the United States for an average of 24 years, sharing households with more than 1 million U.S. citizens. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE

By Allison Jordan, Chandler Hall, & Devin Hughes

On April 13, 2023, 16-year-old Ralph Yarl was sent to pick up his younger twin brothers from a friend’s home when an address mix-up nearly cost him his life. After confusing Northeast 115th Street for Northeast 115th Terrace, located one block away, Ralph mistakenly rang the doorbell of an armed 84-year-old man. The homeowner instantly opened fire on the teen through a glass door, shooting him once in the forehead and again in the arm. Ralph was forced to flee for his life as an irresponsible gun owner decided he would become the judge, jury, and executioner of a teenager who arrived at the wrong home.

Every day, 327 people are shot in the United States. Of those, an estimated 117 die, while the other 210 deal with lifelong injuries. Yet despite the harsh realities of gun violence, roughly half of Americans believe firearms increase safety by allowing law-abiding citizens to protect themselves. This conviction is so widespread that 2023 survey data found that 72 percent of gun owners cite personal protection as a “major reason” for gun ownership, notwithstanding overwhelming evidence demonstrating that firearms are not an effective means of self-defense. ​-- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE

By Alan Yu, Michael Clark, & Megan Shahi

On January 13, 2024, Taiwan’s voters elected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te as their next president, despite the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) best efforts to prevent the DPP from keeping the president’s office. This election witnessed a fresh surge of PRC attempts to interfere in Taiwan’s politics, through direct political meddling, economic coercion, and shows of military force. Of particular interest to Washington, the PRC-backed disinformation campaign may portend similar foreign influence campaigns in the U.S. presidential elections. As the site of the first elections in a year of more than four dozen elections worldwide, Taiwan’s experience with cyber influence holds important lessons.

The PRC strategy to influence Taiwan politics-- The DPP’s approach to cross-strait relations—emphasizing a Taiwan identity and close ties with the United States and U.S. allies—is in direct contradiction to China’s political interests and corresponding narratives. Two weeks ahead of the election, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that “reunification is a historic inevitability.” PRC officials framed the election as a choice of war or peace, urging voters to make the “correct choice.” ​​-- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE