The contrast between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on environmental issues, particularly regarding climate change and global warming, is stark, reflecting their fundamentally different views, priorities, and approaches to environmental policies and protection. Here’s a rundown of how the two 2024 presidential candidates stand on various environmental and climate change issues.
Kamala Harris on Environmental Issues
Kamala Harris has consistently emphasized the urgent need to address climate change and its global ramifications. At the 2023 United Nations climate summit in Dubai, she highlighted the worldwide impact of climate change, from droughts and floods to wildfires and rising sea levels, framing it as a clear and pressing threat to both the environment and humanity. Environmental protection and justice have been central to her career; she created one of the first environmental justice units as a district attorney and pursued legal action against major oil companies for their role in pollution and global warming.
“The clock is ticking, and every day that goes by, the urgency becomes greater. We need to act now to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect our planet for future generations.” — Kamala Harris, at a speech in California in 2021.
As part of the Biden-Harris administration, Harris has supported environmental policies aimed at transitioning to renewable energy sources. Although oil production has continued to rise under their watch, her commitment to environmental protection remains steadfast. Harris co-sponsored the Green New Deal, a legislative framework aiming to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, and has consistently backed stricter environmental regulations to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Donald Trump on Environmental Issues
Donald Trump, in stark contrast, has consistently downplayed or outright denied the existence of climate change, once infamously calling it a “hoax.” During his presidency, he rolled back approximately 100 environmental regulations, withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, and significantly reduced the size and scope of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). His environmental policies have been heavily criticized for exacerbating global warming and undermining efforts to combat climate change.
“I believe there’s weather. I believe there’s change, and I believe it goes up and it goes down, and it goes up again. And it changes depending on years and centuries, but I am not a believer, and we have much bigger problems.” — Donald Trump, in an interview with Hugh Hewitt in 2015.
Trump’s approach to energy policy has been centered on increasing domestic oil and gas production, often encapsulated by the slogan “drill, baby, drill.” He views efforts to transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy as threats to the U.S. economy, arguing that such policies would harm American jobs. Trump has pledged to undo many of the Biden administration’s climate policies if re-elected, further intensifying the politics of climate change in America.
Key Differences Between Trump & Harris:
Climate Change: Harris views climate change as an urgent global crisis requiring immediate action, while Trump has dismissed it as a hoax and opposed international efforts to combat it, reflecting a deep divide in climate change politics.- Energy Policy: Harris supports a transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and curb global warming. Trump, on the other hand, prioritizes increasing domestic oil and gas production, viewing renewable energy policies as detrimental to the economy and opposing environmental policies that restrict fossil fuel use.
- Environmental Protection: Under the Biden-Harris administration, the EPA has strengthened regulations on air and water quality, emphasizing environmental protection as a key policy goal. In contrast, Trump rolled back numerous environmental protections during his presidency and has expressed a desire to further reduce the EPA’s regulatory powers if re-elected.
- Legislation and Global Agreements: Harris supports building on climate legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and re-engaging with international agreements like the Paris Accord to combat climate change on a global scale. Trump has pledged to dismantle such initiatives, including pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement again, signaling a sharp divergence in environmental policy and climate change politics.
Public Opinion on Environmental Issues
Public opinion reflects these differences, with a majority of voters preferring Harris’ approach to climate change and environmental issues. Polls indicate that voters, particularly younger ones, favor continuing the clean energy and environmental protections initiated by the Biden-Harris administration over Trump’s plans to reverse them. The debate over environmental protection and climate change policies remains a central issue in American politics, with significant implications for the future of the planet.
Not surprisingly, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump represent two very different paths forward on climate change and environmental issues. Harris advocates for urgent action and a transition to renewable energy, while Trump favors increasing fossil fuel production and rolling back environmental protections, highlighting the ongoing political battle over America’s environmental future.
There’s no doubt that the 2024 election will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our climate change goals, national and local environmental issues, global warming mitigation, funding for alternative energy research, green infrastructure, and renewable energy technology. Whether you’re left or right, middle, or somewhere in between, one change you can make is to vote for saving the planet this November!