FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Contact: Pamela Russell at 202-618-6433 or prussell@bettermarkets.com
Better Markets Joins Coalition to Encourage Treasury
Secretary Yellen to Name Senior, Experienced Climate Official
Washington, D.C. – Dennis Kelleher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Better Markets, issued the following statement related to a letter it co-signed as part of a coalition to encourage Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to quickly name a senior-level person to lead the department’s climate efforts:
“There is no dispute that the climate crisis poses a material threat to many companies and an existential threat to the financial system, our economy and the planet. Regrettably, the U.S. has fallen behind many other countries in taking the necessary actions to address these many and increasing risks. While this inaction impacts all Americans, those hardest hit will once again be low-income, minority and other disenfranchised communities.
“That’s why Treasury Secretary Yellen’s commitment to create a climate “hub” and appoint a “very senior-level official to lead” it was so important. More broadly, we are gratified that the Biden administration shares our view that we must all prioritize the critical issue of climate change along with racial justice and economic inequality, especially in the financial industry and at the financial regulatory agencies. Creating a hub with senior leadership that reports directly to the Secretary is just a beginning, but a very important start. We’re confident that Secretary Yellen will be an outstanding leader in the climate crisis fight, and we encourage her to act with speed and boldness.”
The letter, signed by a coalition of nearly 150 environment, social justice and consumer advocates, is available here. Read more about Better Markets and its work on our website.
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Better Markets is a non-profit, non-partisan, and independent organization founded in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis to promote the public interest in the financial markets, support the financial reform of Wall Street and make our financial system work for all Americans again. Better Markets works with allies – including many in finance – to promote pro-market, pro-business and pro-growth policies that help build a stronger, safer financial system that protects and promotes Americans’ jobs, savings, retirements and more. To learn more, visit www.bettermarkets.com.
