Kamala Harris Could Be America’s Chance to Tackle Climate Change

There’s been a lot of buzz about Kamala Harris’ track record on climate change. Let’s take a look at her past policies.

Biden Steps Aside

Last week, President Joe Biden announced that he was stepping aside in the 2024 presidential race. Biden endorsed his current VP – Kamala Harris – for the next run at the White House, and now she’s officially entered the race.

The Democratic Divide

While Harris has gained support from many Democrats, including Bill and Hillary Clinton and the Congressional Black Caucus, a lot of people are interested in whether she’ll get the backing from climate change activists – especially after Biden’s huge efforts to make America green.

A Tough Act to Follow

Critics have a lot to say about Biden, but of all presidents he has been the nation’s greenest. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 was a key piece of his climate strategy – the largest ever U.S. investment in green energy and cutting emissions.

Biden’s Climate Promises

Biden promised to slash U.S. emissions in half by 2030 and rejoined the Paris Agreement after Trump had withdrawn the U.S. He also created a new position of special presidential envoy for climate.

Trump vs. Biden

It’s a far cry from Trump’s approach, who, at 78, is calling for the IRA to be canceled, rolling back Biden’s climate policies, and promising to “drill, baby, drill.”

What’s in Store?

But what would Kamala 2024 mean for the nation’s climate strategy?

Harris’s Green Roots

Harris has always been an eco-warrior. Back when she was a U.S. senator, she quickly got behind the Green New Deal – a blueprint to get the U.S. to 100% clean energy within ten years. 

Backing a Controversial New Deal

This plan was all about big changes: renewable energy, job guarantees for displaced workers, and – perhaps most controversially – a national healthcare system.

Harris 2019

During her 2019 presidential run, Harris had an even more aggressive climate strategy than Biden. She supported a carbon tax and proposed a massive $10 trillion in climate spending to hit zero emissions by 2045. She also promised to ban fracking, which didn’t go down well among Republicans – especially after she was chosen as Biden’s VP.

Making Polluters Pay

Harris also pushed for a “climate pollution fee” to make big polluters pay for their greenhouse gas emissions. She wanted stricter regulations on fossil fuel companies and promised to act when they broke the rules.

Controversy and Conviction

Despite the criticisms, it was clear that Harris wasn’t afraid to make “controversial” moves for the sake of the environment.

Harris as VP

As VP Harris has been a big supporter of Biden’s climate policies. She’s constantly praised and promoted the IRA, and she represented the U.S. at the COP28 climate climate summit. It was at that summit that Harris announced the U.S. would chip in $3 billion to help developing countries tackle climate change.

Taking on Big Oil

Harris also has a solid record of taking on big oil and gas companies. As California’s attorney general, she sued Southern California Gas Co. over a massive methane leak and took on B.P. for breaking storage laws – winning millions in settlements.

Environmental Victories

She even went after Exxon Mobil and secured an $86 million settlement from Volkswagen for cheating on emissions tests.

Trade Talk

Harris’s approach to trade will also be different from Trump’s. She has criticized Trump’s trade policies and argued for deals that allow the U.S. to sell its products globally.

Selling American Products

In a 2019 debate, she said, “We need to sell our stuff. And that means we need to sell it to people overseas. That means we need trade policies that allow that to happen.”

The 2024 Climate Debate

Harris’s climate positions will definitely be a hot topic in the 2024 race. Critics, especially from the Trump camp, will likely paint her as too extreme on issues like fracking. 

Drawing In The Youth Vote

But Harris’s focus on clean energy and environmental justice is a big hit with voters under 30 and could win over crucial votes in key swing states like Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

A Turning Point for Voters?

With the climate crisis an important topic for millions of voters, Harris’s leadership could blow the election wide open. Her policies stand out compared to Trump’s focus on fossil fuels, giving voters a clear option when it comes to the future of U.S. climate policy.

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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Daniel Hernandez-Salazar.