On the Issues
The science is clear, climate change is an existential threat to the United States and our world. We are facing a “code red for Humanity.” as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Crisis has explained. We must confront climate change head-on, and over the last few years, President Biden has done just that. According to Environment America, “the United States now generates nearly 12 times as much solar power and 2.6 times as much wind power as it did in 2013.” We are making progress, but we are still nowhere near our goals.
We must continue to take swift action to reduce climate pollution in every sector of the economy while transitioning to renewables and clean energy sources. I will prioritize increasing clean energy production, modernizing the grid, improving building efficiency, clean transportation incentives and funding, and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. I will also support legislation that creates good-paying union jobs building the infrastructure necessary to move us towards our goal of net-zero emissions by no later than 2050.
We must invest in renewable and sustainable technologies developed in the US. Our economic might and extraordinary ability to innovate should be utilized in the fight against climate change.
Climate change is the toughest test humanity has faced, and America must lead the world in a renewable revolution. To help achieve this, I will support:
- Delivering on environmental justice for all people, living organisms, and the planet. Too often, marginalized people and communities bear the burden of pollution in their air and water, environmental degradation, and displacement. We must do better – together. All policies must consider historic inequities and learn from the past as we work to create inclusive policies and programs going forward. I will support legislation that does this, and I will oppose legislation that does not.
- Combatting the climate crisis by reducing fossil fuel dependence through adopting mandatory Climate Adaptation Plans.
- Transitioning electricity production away from fossil fuels. Electricity accounts for approximately 28% of our carbon footprint. By creating an electrical power grid that relies on wind, solar and nuclear, we can end our dependence on oil, natural gas, and coal. Distributed renewable energy makes off-shore drilling, fracking, and massive pipelines unnecessary – further protecting the environment from harm.
- Holding corporate polluters accountable by regulating reductions of carbon-intensive practices through fines and carbon tax tariffs.
- Ensuring that mining proposals are rigorously assessed for their environmental impact. With the transition to renewable energy and beneficial electrification, our need for metals like copper will increase. I will oppose proposals that fail to prove that mining will not cause harm to our environment or cherished natural resources.
- Supporting programs that provide education about sound stewardship of natural resources for future generations.
- Extending our interest in protecting, conserving, and restoring air and water to include land.
- Support President Biden’s federally funded American Climate Corps program that trains people in the abilities and skills needed to transition the economy toward an environmentally sustainable future. The American Climate Corps should focus on uplifting underemployed and economically disadvantaged people as a way to both provide good jobs and leap-frog us into this critically needed new direction.