Members of the Outdoor Industry Association are urging Congress to fund efforts to reverse climate change./Rebecca Latson file

Congressional leaders are being urged by members of the outdoor industry to include "significant and meaningful climate provisions" in the budget reconiliation bill working its way through Congress.

Among the companies making that request were Burton, Carhartt, Eddie Bauer, L.L. Bean, REI-Co-op and Patagonia, which are part of the $788 billion outdoor industry.

The companies and their 5.2 million employees, reads the letter (attached below) the Outdoor Industry Association sent Wednesday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Sen. Mitch McConnell, "are at the front lines of the fight against climate change because of supply chain disruptions, the shifting consumer environment, and the impact of extreme weather events on the American outdoor experience."

"We are already taking significant actions to reduce emissions and embrace climate-forward practices, but the federal government needs to do more if we are going to prevent the worst effects of climate change," the letter goes on. "Meaningful federal policies are required to address the growing threat of climate change, encourage other industries to join the effort, and ultimately strengthen America’s economy."

How the federal government and private industry respond to the challenges of reversing anthropogenic climate change carries staggering implications. Rising sea levels, more potent storms, more frequent drought, and dangerous heat waves all are being driven by the changing climate.

U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, in August voiced his concerns that the $3.5 trillion fiscal plan falls short if Congress is to be serious about addressing climate change.

"Investments in electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies are critical to a cleaner future, but millions of Americans are facing drought, wildfire, erosion and habitat destruction today. (Interior) Secretary (Deb) Haaland and the agencies and bureaus at Interior can meet these immediate needs if we give them the resources to do so," said the congressman.

The groups that signed onto the Outdoor Industry Association's letter said the reconciliation bill being debated "offers a historic chance to pass legislation significant enough to tackle these climate issues head on and make progress on many of the policies key to the outdoor industry’s continued success. These priorities include programs to promote natural climate solutions and resilience, increase access to parks and outdoor spaces for underserved communities, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy."

The outdoor industry groups backed establishment of a Civilian Climate Corps and continuation of the Great American Outdoors Act that is funneling billions of dollars into the repair and upkeep of public lands infrastructure.

"Additionally, we back efforts designed to increase access to outdoor spaces for communities that have been traditionally underserved, such as the Urban Parks/Outdoor Recreation Legacy Parks Program and Every Kid Outdoors," adds the letter. "Although the reconciliation package is a sprawling piece of legislation and we might not agree on every provision or pay-for, our companies are united in the belief that meaningful climate provisions are critical – not just to protect the planet, but to safeguard the success of our industry and the American economy."

In ending, the OIA letter pointed out that 92 percent "of Americans say protecting the environment for future generations is very important or somewhat important to them. And the majority of individuals also say businesses, corporations, and the federal government are doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change. Right now, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show the American people that we hear them."