2020 presidential candidates on climate change
 Donald Trump Joe Biden Howie Hawkins Jo Jorgensen |
This page includes statements from the 2020 presidential candidates on climate change. These statements were compiled from each candidate's official campaign website, editorials, speeches, and interviews. Click the following links for policy statements about related issues: energy and environmental issues and the Green New Deal.
The candidates featured on this page are the 2020 presidential nominees from the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Green parties.
Donald Trump Joe Biden Howie Hawkins Jo Jorgensen
Climate change
Republican candidates
Donald Trump
Donald Trump's campaign website says, "President Trump rescinded President Obama’s costly Clean Power Plan and instead has proposed the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. The Affordable Clean Energy Rule will reduce greenhouse gasses, empower states, promote energy independence, and facilitate economic growth and job creation. Kept campaign promise to get America out of the Paris Climate Agreement." [source, as of 2020-10-08]
Mark Sanford
Mark Sanford's campaign website says, "I’ve seen first hand rising sea levels over the course of my life at our family farm in the low country of South Carolina. In areas where pine trees once stood, there are now salt flats. On this issue, the scientific consensus fits with what I’ve seen firsthand, and that is that it's real. I think it's important to listen to what the scientific community has said here. After all, It makes no sense to say that one believes in the modern advances of science and the way they can cure and heal the human body, but then discount what science says in other areas of our lives. The problem in my view has not been in whether or not it may be real, but in how we do something about it. I do not believe in things like the Kyoto Protocol, that would tie America and Western Europe to one standard, but hold China and India to a completely different standard, even though the overwhelming growth of new emissions will come these two places." [source, as of 2019-09-10]
Joe Walsh
In an interview on PBS, Joe Walsh said, "The first big step, Judy, is my party, the Republican Party, has to acknowledge it's an issue, it's a problem. This president won't. And, in fact, I don't even think he understands the issue. So it would be an issue, I think, the Republican Party needs to get on board with and lead on. The first step is for a Republican president to acknowledge it's a problem, man is contributing to the problem. And then let's bring all the important people together, including business and businesses, and figure out things that need to be done. But before we do anything to impact the American economy, we have got — we have got to make sure we have got the accurate data." [source, as of 2019-08-27]
Bill Weld
Bill Weld said in a speech, "Whether as protection of a fragile ecosystem or as stewardship of God’s creation, there is a pressing need to act on climate change. The United States must rejoin the Paris climate accords, and adopt targets consonant with those of other industrialized nations. We must protect our economy, yes, but we must also recognize that increased natural disasters and unfamiliar weather patterns threaten to strip the snow from our White Mountains, and to melt all the mountain glaciers worldwide upon which hundreds of millions of people depend for their only source of water. Europe has its cathedrals and monuments; we have our mountains, canyons, valleys, rivers and streams – and we had damn well better take care of them. Our borders are safe in New Hampshire, but it is not a stretch to say that if climate change is not addressed, our coastlines and those of all other countries will over time be obliterated by storm surge and the melting of the polar ice cap. Yet climate skeptics claim that they are conservative!" [source, as of 2019-02-15]
Democratic candidates
Joe Biden
Joe Biden's campaign website provides the following climate plan: "Ensure the U.S. achieves a 100% clean energy economy and reaches net-zero emissions no later than 2050. On day one, Biden will sign a series of new executive orders with unprecedented reach that go well beyond the Obama-Biden Administration platform and put us on the right track. And, he will demand that Congress enacts legislation in the first year of his presidency that: 1) establishes an enforcement mechanism that includes milestone targets no later than the end of his first term in 2025, 2) makes a historic investment in clean energy and climate research and innovation, 3) incentivizes the rapid deployment of clean energy innovations across the economy, especially in communities most impacted by climate change." [source, as of 2020-10-08]
Michael Bloomberg
Mike Bloomberg's campaign website says, "Mike Bloomberg is one of America’s leading climate activists, and plans to put an unprecedented focus on climate in the general election, and make climate one of his top priorities as president."
His website lists the following climate change policies: "Use trade and security agreements to strongly encourage that all countries with whom we have diplomatic relations are party to the Paris Agreement and have a verifiable plan to reduce emissions. Calculate the costs of U.S. climate change efforts and apply a corresponding border adjustment – a charge on imports and a tax break for exports – for emissions-intensive goods. Work with other countries to jointly end export assistance for fossil fuel investments. Hold governments accountable and penalize corporations responsible for deforestation and other practices that increase climate change and rob indigenous peoples of their lives and communities. Mandate the disclosure of all climate-related risks, including the full cost of retiring fossil-fuel assets, and greenhouse gas reporting. Encourage the G20 and the Financial Stability Board to develop a Task Force that would bring financial institutions together with multilateral and national development banks to finance clean energy and resilience projects in developing countries." [source, as of 2019-12-11]
Cory Booker
Cory Booker's campaign website says, "Climate change is not some distant threat — it’s happening now. The time to act is now for a 100% clean energy economy, millions of good-paying jobs, and a guaranteed right to clean air, water, and soil for all Americans. Cory's plan will: Directly invest over $3 trillion dollars by 2030 to fund the transition to a 100% carbon-neutral economy by no later than 2045 and spurring economic activity, creating millions of jobs where they are needed most, and empowering communities to have control and ownership over their energy systems and local environments. Unleash natural climate solutions through massive reforestation and coastal wetlands restoration. Invest over $100 billion by 2030 through existing USDA conservation programs to make farms more climate resilient and enable our farmers and ranchers to be part of the climate change solution." [source, as of 2019-09-11]
Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg's campaign website says, "Climate catastrophe is on the horizon, and history will judge us for how we rose to meet this challenge in our time. My plan has three pillars: Build a Clean Economy. The U.S. must invest in talent and enterprise here at home to unlock new technology and bring together partners to reduce emissions across the electricity, transportation, industrial, and agricultural sectors. We must create clean energy jobs, strengthen our rural communities, and protect America’s natural resources. Our intention is to promote a clean and prosperous future for ourselves and our children and to prioritize justice and inclusion as we embrace these changes. Invest in Resilience. We are already feeling the effects of climate change, whether it’s farmers affected by floods and shorter planting seasons or communities managing storm surges or devastating forest fires. Our plan makes our cities and states more resilient by prioritizing our communities and focusing on infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Demonstrate Leadership. Combating climate change will require American leadership to bring our nation together and make the fight for a cleaner future a global priority. In doing so, we can also restore America’s badly damaged credibility by leading the world in rising to this challenge while practicing what we preach at home." [source, as of 2019-09-11]
Julián Castro
Julián Castro's campaign website says, "Right now, the climate crisis is already devastating our communities, our homes, and our families. Together, we will direct $10 trillion in federal, state, local, and private investments over the next decade to create ten million good paying jobs, transition away from fossil fuels, build a 100 percent clean-energy economy, and lead the world in the 21st century. Our vision begins with an ambitious and achievable timeline. That’s why my first executive action, will be to rejoin the Paris Climate Accords and rally the international community to go further, achieving worldwide net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To reach that global target, the United States will achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 and at least a 50 percent reduction by 2030. We will immediately stop the exploration and extraction of fossil fuels on public lands and end all taxpayer subsidies of fossil fuel production. One of the best defenses against climate change is our natural infrastructure such as wetlands and forests. When I’m president, we will protect 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 with a goal of 50 percent by 2050." [source, as of 2019-09-11]
Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard's campaign website says, "If we in the United States do all that we can right now to address climate change, it will still not be enough. We cannot solve these problems alone. We have to work together. We have to work together to make sure that our kids today and for generations to come can not only survive, but thrive, and prosper, without fear of toxic and poisonous water, or polluted air, or not enough food to eat. As president, I’ll tackle climate change by ending subsidies to big fossil fuel and agribusiness corporations, ban offshore drilling, harness innovation to create jobs in renewable energy, provide better opportunities for our farmers, and ensure every American has clean air and water." [source, as of 2019-09-26]
Kamala D. Harris
Kamala Harris' campaign website, "We are living through a worsening climate crisis that is impacting communities across America and the globe every day. My plan — a Climate Plan For the People — is about putting people first, justice for communities that have been harmed and accountability for those responsible. My plan sets out a bold target to exceed the Paris Agreement climate goals and achieve a clean economy by 2045, investing $10 trillion in public and private funding to meet the initial 10-year mobilization necessary to stave off the worst climate impacts. It modernizes our transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. It accelerates the spread of electric vehicles, solar panels, and wind turbines. And it makes big investments in battery storage, climate-smart agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and the innovative technologies that will build our carbon-free future. By 2030, we will run on 100 percent carbon-neutral electricity, all new buses, heavy-duty vehicles, and vehicle fleets will be zero-emission. All new buildings will be carbon-neutral. We will protect 30 percent of our lands and oceans. We will transition our public lands from producing the fossil fuels that represent 24 percent of national emissions to carbon sinks. And to power this transformation to a clean economy, we will empower the American workforce and create millions of good jobs." [source, as of 2019-09-11]
Amy Klobuchar
The Klobuchar campaign wrote in a Medium post, "Senator Klobuchar is a strong voice from the Midwest when it comes to climate change. In the Senate, she leads the fight to combat climate change by serving on the Senate Climate Action Taskforce, has fought for legislation to reduce greenhouse gases, and has led a Senate resolution recognizing that global climate change is occurring and will continue to pose ongoing risks unless we take action. She authored legislation setting a national renewable electricity standard and she successfully extended renewable energy production tax credits. The first bill Senator Klobuchar ever introduced was a carbon counter bill to establish the first national greenhouse gas registry to track emissions by major industries."
The article continued, "Starting on day one of her administration, Senator Klobuchar will take aggressive executive action to confront the climate crisis. She will introduce sweeping climate legislation in the first 100 days of her presidency, but she also won’t wait for Congress when it comes to the full range of legal actions a President can take to address climate change." [source, as of 2019-09-01]
Beto O'Rourke
Beto O'Rourke's campaign website calls climate change "the greatest threat we face." It also says, "Beto’s plan includes the world’s largest-ever climate change investment in infrastructure, innovation, and in our people and communities; creates an enforceable standard that guarantees that we reach net-zero emissions by 2050—and get halfway there by 2030; and defends the communities preparing for and fighting against extreme weather."
Some of the proposals listed on O'Rourke's website include: "Re-enter the Paris Climate Agreement and lead negotiations for a more ambitious global plan by 2030. Cut methane emissions from existing sources in the oil and natural gas industry. Leverage $500 billion to decarbonize across all sectors, create unprecedented access to technologies for farmers and ranchers to profit from reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and set a carbon budget for federal lands to reach net-zero emissions by 2030. Mobilize $5 trillion to combat climate change, with significant investments in infrastructure, innovation, and our people and communities. Rigorously measure progress, scaling what works and scrapping what doesn’t. Enforce our laws to hold polluters accountable. Implement a ten-fold increase on spending for pre-disaster mitigation grants. Invest $1.2 trillion in the people and communities impacted by the effects of climate change." [source, as of 2019-08-27]
Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders says the climate crisis is "the single greatest challenge facing our country" and supports implementing the Green New Deal.
His campaign website states the following priorities: "Reaching 100 percent renewable energy for electricity and transportation by no later than 2030 and complete decarbonization by 2050 at latest. Ending unemployment by creating 20 million jobs needed to solve the climate crisis. Directly invest an historic $16.3 trillion public investment toward these efforts. A just transition for workers. Declaring climate change a national emergency. Saving American families money by weatherizing homes and lowering energy bills, building affordable and high-quality, modern public transportation, providing grants and trade-in programs for families and small businesses to purchase high-efficiency electric vehicles, and rebuilding our inefficient and crumbling infrastructure, including deploying universal, affordable high-speed internet. Supporting small family farms by investing in ecologically regenerative and sustainable agriculture. Justice for frontline communities. Commit to reducing emissions throughout the world. Meeting and exceeding our fair share of global emissions reductions. Making massive investments in research and development. Expanding the climate justice movement. Investing in conservation and public lands to heal our soils, forests, and prairie lands. This plan will pay for itself over 15 years. We will pay for the massive investment we need to reverse the climate crisis by: Making the fossil fuel industry pay for their pollution, through litigation, fees, and taxes, and eliminating federal fossil fuel subsidies. Generating revenue from the wholesale of energy produced by the regional Power Marketing Authorities. Scaling back military spending on maintaining global oil dependence. Collecting new income tax revenue from the 20 million new jobs created by the plan. Reduced need for federal and state safety net spending due to the creation of millions of good-paying, unionized jobs. Making the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share. [source, as of 2019-08-23]
Thomas Steyer
Tom Steyer's campaign website says, "As president, Tom will declare the climate crisis a national emergency on his first day in office, and will begin implementing his Justice-Centered Climate Plan, with or without Congress. He is prepared to use the emergency powers of the presidency to take on the climate crisis, protect the American people, redouble our commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, and establish our global leadership as we build a safer, more sustainable world. Tom’s five-pillar framework for the Justice-Centered Climate Plan addresses the urgency and global nature of the climate crisis while creating millions of good jobs, providing everyone in the U.S. with clean air and water, ensuring an inclusive process for workers transitioning from fossil fuel industries, and prioritizing justice for communities that have been treated as environmental dumping grounds for too long. The Justice-Centered Climate plan will get the U.S. back on track to be a global leader in climate change solutions. Tom will lead us in moving from an extraction economy — where fossil fuel companies strip value from people and communities — to a regenerative economy, where we invest in people and places for the long term."
He lists the following policy priorities: "Justice-Based Pollution Reduction Targets and Actions. Community-Led Civilian Climate Corps. A Regenerative Economy. Climate-Smart Infrastructure. A Resilient Disaster Plan to Restore America’s Global Leadership." [source, as of 2019-09-10]
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren wrote in a Medium post, "The climate crisis will leave no one untouched. But it also represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity: to create millions of good American jobs in clean and renewable energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing; to unleash the best of American innovation and creativity; to rebuild our unions and create real progress and justice for workers; and to directly confront the racial and economic inequality embedded in our fossil fuel economy. The world must limit warming to below 1.5° C to avoid the most catastrophic outcomes, cutting carbon pollution roughly in half by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. As the world’s largest historical carbon polluter, the United States has a special responsibility to lead the way. That’s why I’m an original supporter of the Green New Deal, which challenges us to go above and beyond — to launch a ten-year mobilization through 2030 to achieve net-zero domestic greenhouse gas emissions as fast as possible. It’s also why I’ve woven climate mitigation and resilience throughout my policy proposals, because we won’t meet our climate goals with a one-time, one-size-fits-all approach — we’ll need big, structural change, across a range of industries and sectors, and sustained over time." [source, as of 2019-09-03]
Andrew Yang
Andrew Yang's campaign website says, "Climate change is an existential threat, and we need to recognize that we’re already living through the negative effects. We need to bring the full force of America to bear on this problem, or we will fail, and the world will suffer. My approach is five-pronged: Build a sustainable economy by transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, upgrading our infrastructure, and improving the way we farm and use land. Public financing options will allow individuals to make the right decisions for their families. Build a sustainable world. The United States, throughout history, has led the world in times of crisis. We’re the most entrepreneurial country in the history of the world. It’s time to activate the American imagination and work ethic to provide the innovation and technology that will power the rest of the world. Move our people to higher ground. Natural disasters and other effects of climate change are already causing damage and death. We need to adapt our country to this new reality. Reverse the damage we’ve done. Research needs to be done on removing carbon from our atmosphere, cooling the planet and rejuvenating ecosystems. Hold future administrations accountable. We need to pass a constitutional amendment that creates a duty on the federal and state governments to be stewards for the environment." [source, as of 2019-08-28]
Green candidates
Howie Hawkins
Howie Hawkins' campaign website says, "Capitalism’s competition-driven compulsion for boundless growth is devouring nature and driving dangerous climate change. It needs to be replaced with an ecosocialist economic democracy based on public enterprise and planning to meet our basic needs within ecological limits." [source, as of 2020-07-01]
Libertarian candidates
Jo Jorgensen
Jo Jorgensen's campaign website says the government should not increase environmental regulations to prevent climate change. Jorgensen says the government should "remove subsidies of all forms of energy production, allowing emissions-free nuclear power a chance to compete on a level playing field." [source, as of 2020-07-28]
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Footnotes
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