“Exploring the Climate Legacy of President Biden and the Potential Impact of Vice President Harris on Environmental Policies”
In a recent letter announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 reelection campaign, President Biden claimed that his administration had passed “the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world.” This statement has sparked discussions among environmental groups and voters about how Vice President Harris and potential running mates might differ from Biden on crucial climate change issues, the transition away from fossil fuels, and environmental regulations.
While climate issues may not be the deciding factor in swing states come November, the outcome of this election will have a profound impact on U.S. carbon emissions in the years to come. The Biden administration has set the country on a path towards reducing planet-warming emissions by investing in clean energy transitions. In contrast, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, has been openly dismissive of climate change and supportive of fossil fuels.
Environmentalists have long lauded Harris for her dedication to climate and environmental causes, dating back to her time as a local official in California. She has championed environmental justice, prioritized electric school buses, opposed drilling on public lands, and supported California’s efforts to promote less-polluting vehicles. As a senator, she was an original sponsor of the Green New Deal.
The League of Conservation Voters has given Harris a nearly perfect lifetime voting record on environmental issues. Prominent environmentalists have commended the Biden administration’s climate policies and expressed confidence in Harris’s ability to continue and build upon this progress if she were to assume the top of the ticket.
Recently, a coalition of leading environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and the advocacy arms of the League of Conservation Voters and the Natural Resources Defense Council, endorsed Harris’s campaign. They believe that Harris’s commitment to climate and environmental issues makes her a strong candidate to advance environmental policies.
Harris has a history of advocating for aggressive climate action, including endorsing a ban on fracking and proposing a $10 trillion plan to combat climate change. However, some of her campaign promises have not materialized, and the Biden administration’s policies have faced criticism for permitting oil drilling on federal lands and waters.
Despite these challenges, environmentalists have praised the Biden-Harris administration for boosting the renewable energy sector and tightening environmental regulations that were rolled back during the Trump era. The administration’s actions, including the Inflation Reduction Act, are expected to significantly reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, the upcoming election presents a critical opportunity to address this pressing issue. A Harris-led ticket would offer a stark contrast to the Trump administration’s approach to climate and energy policy, which prioritized fossil fuels over environmental protection.
Harris’s choice of running mate will likely be influenced by the need to appeal to voters in battleground states that rely on fossil fuels. This could shape the extent to which she prioritizes a climate agenda. Several potential running mates, including Andy Beshear, Josh Shapiro, Mark Kelly, and Roy Cooper, have varying records on environmental issues that could impact Harris’s climate platform.
Overall, the 2024 election holds significant implications for the future of climate policy in the United States. With the world facing increasing climate challenges, the choice of leadership will be crucial in determining the country’s direction on environmental issues.