Election 2024: Climate Policies at Stake as Hurricanes Devastate U.S.
As the U.S. braces for the impacts of climate change amid Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton’s devastation, voters face a pivotal choice in the upcoming presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris, who regards climate change as an “existential threat,” runs against former President Donald Trump, who downplays its significance as a “hoax.”
The next administration’s climate policies will be crucial in achieving the U.S.’s ambitious goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% to 52% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
A climate-focused voter guide highlights how the presidential candidates’ policies will shape several key areas affecting citizens’ daily lives, from energy costs to home insurance. Harris has supported the Inflation Reduction Act, which incentivizes electric vehicle adoption and upgrading homes for energy efficiency. Conversely, Trump has vowed to rescind funding, favoring fossil fuel interests, with a "drill, baby, drill" approach.
The potential outcomes of their policies could also determine much about food prices and health, which are increasingly affected by rising temperatures and extreme weather. For example, Harris aims to uphold the H-2A visa program to ensure a reliable migrant labor force in agriculture, while Trump’s immigration policies could lead to labor shortages in farming, driving prices higher.
Moreover, candidates’ differing views on public health and environmental regulations are critical. A Harris administration might build on Biden’s efforts to safeguard drinking water and combat air pollution, while a second Trump term could erase key protections and hinder scientific research on climate impacts.
With both candidates distancing themselves from robust climate activism, the stakes for the upcoming election are extraordinarily high, urging voters to consider how these policies will affect their lives and the planet’s future.
Source
Photo credit www.civilbeat.org