This legislative ask is designed to be shared with your members of Congress and their staff.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1)

The world is facing increasing shocks from the changing climate. These impacts are particularly acute for countries in the Global South, where climate change is manifesting in sea level rise, increased flooding, intensified drought conditions, biodiversity loss, and much more.

These emergent shocks serve as a force multiplier on other pre-existing global challenges, including the food crisis exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the debt crisis in the developing world.

For centuries, Quakers have been committed to taking “away the occasion of all wars.” As resource scarcity increases communal tensions, Friends see international climate assistance as key to preventing conflict and human suffering. By reducing the “occasion for wars,” this funding is also directly in line with the national security interests of our country.

We urge Congress to robustly support international climate assistance in the Fiscal Year 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPs) appropriations bill. This includes funding at least the following for USAID’s bilateral climate finance accounts:

  • $270 million for Adaptation, which assists developing countries with reducing their vulnerability to climate change impacts like increased food insecurity, intensified conflict, forced migration, and increased poverty.
  • $260 million for Renewable Energy, which supports energy projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas pollution from energy generation and use in developing countries. Renewable Energy accelerates the deployment of clean energy technologies, policies, and practices.
  • $185 million for Sustainable Landscapes, which protects, sustainably manages, and restores forests and other natural landscapes.

As one the largest historic emitters of greenhouse gases, the United States has a moral obligation to assist the developing countries bearing the worst impacts of climate change and prevent the “occasion for wars” stemming from these impacts. 

Contact: Daren Caughron, Legislative Manager, Sustainable Energy & Environment Program, dcaughron@fcnl.org