Harris on the Climate Crisis: “The science is clear. Extreme weather will only get worse, and the climate crisis will only accelerate.”'
In the 2024 election cycle, a candidate’s stance on climate policy stands front and center—offering voters a clear choice between two starkly different visions for the future. The right climate policy can mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on human health and the environment, while steering the US economy towards a sustainable future. Ineffective climate policy, on the other hand, risks stalling the transition to renewable energy—locking the nation into reliance on fossil fuels, and ultimately failing to safeguard future generations from the escalating dangers of a warming planet. Recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene and Milton, as well as the ongoing California wildfires, underscore the urgency of climate change and the need for government intervention. Adequate federal response entails managing these crises, and establishing proactive long-term climate policies that address the root causes of the climate crisis.
The United States remains the largest global oil producer, and the second second largest source of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—and while fossil fuel production surged under the Biden administration, the landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has prompted the allocation of billions in subsidies and other investments, setting the US on course to significantly reduce domestic GHG emissions. Unfortunately, as of present, neither 2024 presidential candidate has released an official plan regarding their climate policy. That being said, Harris and Trump's track records and numerous public statements have made their priorities clear. Harris focuses on clean energy and climate resilience while Trump continues to advocate for fossil fuel expansion and deregulation.
Kamala Harris’ Climate Policy:
As California Attorney General, Kamala Harris prosecuted numerous oil companies, holding them accountable for environmental violations. In her 2019 presidential campaign, Harris released a comprehensive climate plan, which included a budget of $10 trillion earmarked for pushing the US economy to carbon neutrality by 2045. This included investment in carbon neutral electricity sources, net-zero transportation, as well as up to $8,000 allocated to training workers for ‘green economy’ jobs. In Harris’ own words, her plan provides a pathway for all Americans to handle the climate crisis while building a clean economy “that creates millions of family-sustaining jobs, and guarantees every person’s right to breathe clean air and drink clean water.” Harris was also an early sponsor of the ‘Green New Deal’. In her role as vice president, Harris was the tie-breaking vote for the Inflation Reduction Act—which allocated significant investments into clean energy, electric vehicles, and GHG reduction.
Harris’ own presidency will likely be an extension of the work already put in place by the Biden Administration over the last four years—including continuation and even expansion of the IRA. Harris has called climate change an existential threat, and in her speech at the 2024 Democratic Convention she labeled the ability to “live free from the pollution that fuels the climate crisis” as a fundamental freedom. The 2024 Democratic Party Platform underlines the urgency of the climate crisis—emphasizing the escalating impact of climate change and the increasing frequency of severe natural disasters. The platform outlines a continuation of Biden’s clean energy investment policies, the expansion of ‘green economy’ job training, tax subsidies for energy efficient appliances/electric vehicles/solar panels,, and more. Harris will also continue the Justice40 initiative, which commits to providing 40% of clean energy investments to historically lower-income and marginalized communities that are most affected by climate change and pollution.
It is important to note that while Harris favors a shift to a clean energy economy, she has stated that she will not completely back away from oil and gas, and moreover she will not ban fracking. Her aversion to banning fracking is a stark shift from her 2019 presidential campaign, and is likely correlated to the damaging effects such a ban would have on the Pennsylvanian economy (a key swing state in the 2024 elections).
Donald Trump’s Climate Policy
For Donald Trump, an outspoken global warming denier, climate policy has less to do with climate and more to do with continuous expansion of oil and gas drilling. “Drill, baby, drill,” is Trump’s mantra, as he fosters a vision of American fossil fuel dominance. In his first term as president, Trump rolled back numerous environmental regulations, including infamously pulling out of the 2015 Paris Agreement—which he promises to do again in his second term. He also proposed a 26% budget cut to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2020, and a 31% cut in 2019—both of which were rejected.
Looking toward a second term, Trump has vowed to put an end to the IRA (or the ‘Green New Scam’), which he regarded as a “ridiculous and actually incredible waste of taxpayer dollars,” in his Republican National Convention speech. Under Trump, the US can kiss goodbye to subsidies and regulations relating to electric vehicles, wind energy, energy efficient appliances, and more. Instead, waving hello to more fossil fuels, including the development of new natural gas export terminals which Trump has promised to approve immediately upon resuming the presidency.
The 2024 Republican Party Platform makes no mention of climate change. Instead, Project 2025, a policy blueprint for Trump’s second presidency assembled by the Heritage Foundation, lays out extensive plans to dismantle climate regulations and eliminate climate-related agencies (including the EPA). Although Trump has since distanced himself from Project 2025, over one third of the 753 policy proposals encompassed in the document match Trump’s own policies from his first term, almost word for word.
A Call to Action:
The future of climate policy rests in the hands of voters, and in the 2024 election, the stakes are higher than ever. Harris offers a future built on clean energy, resilience, and economic opportunity, continuing the momentum of the IRA and prioritizing social justice for communities hit hardest by pollution and climate disasters.Trump’s approach centers on expanding fossil fuels and deregulation, embracing short-term economic gains.The direction America takes will shape not only our environment, but also our economic and global standing. As voters, the responsibility lies with you to choose a leader who aligns with your vision for the planet’s future. Your vote can drive the change needed to protect generations to come.