Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi Reflects on a 35 Years of Environmental Progress in the U.S.

At a Renwick Gallery ceremony held in Washington D.C. recently, The Wilderness Society gave its highest honor to House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. Known as The Ansel Adams Award, it recognizes extraordinary leaders individuals who have safeguarded America's natural landscapes and ecosystems in the face of a rapidly changing planet. It has been previously awarded to esteemed individuals such as former President Jimmy Carter, Vice President Al Gore, and civil rights paramount and Congressional representative John Lewis. 

"People ask me, 'So where is hope?'" Pelosi shared in her informal remarks to the audience, "And I tell them, hope is where it has always been, sitting right between faith and love." She expressed that her faith in the goodness of others and the shared value of preserving nature, our lands, and rivers, gives her hope that the mission of environmental conservation will always remain a priority. This hope is further bolstered by the dedication and passion of young people who are taking the planet's issues into their hands, she said. 

She also spoke of her own personal motivations that include her belief in God, and beliefs as a mother and grandmother. "This [planet] is God's creation, so we have a moral responsibility to be good stewards and preserve the planet for future generations." 

The Pelosi record

Described as a "tireless stalwart" by TWS president Jamie Williams, Pelosi's career spanning over three decades in Congress, with 20 years as the House Democratic Leader and Speaker, has been dedicated to driving the nation towards a greener and more sustainable future. She particularly often cites one of her earliest congressional accomplishments, the Energy Independence and Security Act, a historic and bipartisan 2007 law that improved federal fuel efficiency standards while creating a renewable fuel standard, both of which have reduced climate emissions.

Pelosi's contributions extend beyond the halls of Congress, as she actively worked at the local level in California. In 1993, she played an instrumental role in establishing the Presidio Trust, a pioneering public-private partnership aimed at preserving the natural beauty of the Presidio National Park near the Golden Gate Bridge. Additionally, she has worked to modify boundaries and facilitate land exchanges in various national parks and forests, including the Yucca House National Monument, Zion National Park, and Shenandoah National Park. 

The intersection of the environment and democracy

"Our inside maneuvering is important, but it only takes us so far," Pelosi remarked during her acceptance speech. "Without the outside mobilization, we could not get this done. When you do that, you're not only saving our environment, our endangered species, our lands—all the rest of that—you're strengthening our democracy. Outside mobilization is about democracy, about people weighing in, and the more you do it, the more strengthened our democracy is as we protect our environment." 

Among Speaker Pelosi's most recent and remarkable achievements is the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, the most sweeping climate action Congress has ever taken. This groundbreaking legislation allocated an astounding $369 billion to combat the climate crisis, making it the largest and most ambitious investment in human history. The Inflation Reduction Act encompasses transformative environmental investments aimed at slashing carbon pollution, reducing energy costs through energy-efficient solutions, strengthening energy security, decarbonizing the economy, and prioritizing environmental justice. 

Pelosi closed her remarks with some reflections about the future. "What also gives me hope is our young people who want to take this planet issue into their hands, and the gun issue, and so many things, to get the job done," Pelosi stated. "And they're so committed; they know why they care about it, they know what they need to do, they know how to get the job done, and they believe that they can get it done. The why, the what, the how, and the belief is in their hearts." 

This article was written by Simiya McEachin for The Wilderness Society. For more information, contact newsmedia@tws.org.