A lot of good happened at this year’s conference, including President Biden’s reassertion of US commitment to action and new climate change agreements -- and the ambitious cuts to heat-trapping pollution -- committed to by world leaders.

Experts say if countries follow through on their promises, the world may still have a slim chance to rein in emissions fast enough to avoid the worst damage from climate driven storms, heat waves and droughts, and to help the most vulnerable communities survive and thrive in a warmer world.^[1]

That’s the key though isn’t it? Countries have to follow through on their promises to cut greenhouse gases and to protect households, communities, and the economy from climate change -- including the United States.

We need every agency on board to address climate change and its impacts on the economy, but it doesn’t seem like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is willing to play its part. The FDIC has a responsibility to make sure banks operate safely and manage risk from climate impacts and risky fossil fuel lending, but last month FDIC Chair McWilliams was the only regulator who refused to support a report signed on to by other regulators appointed by both Democrats and Republicans outlining sensible policies to rein in climate risk.

As long as the FDIC watches from the sidelines, Americans’ savings will remain at risk from climate disasters and fossil fuel projects, and banks will continue their status quo financing of climate change.

That’s why we’re fighting for the FDIC to step up and regulate banks to protect the economy from climate impacts and risky investments that could go bust and create a crisis in the financial system. Please add your name now to our petition calling for immediate action.

^{1] Here's what world leaders agreed to — and what they didn't — at the U.N. climate summit, NPR 2021}