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Week In Review: August 23, 2019

Aug 22, 2019

All ten of the qualified presidential candidates are confirmed to attend CNN’s Climate Crisis Town Hall on September 4th. We’re looking forward to the primetime discussion on how candidates will take action on climate beginning on day one in the White House. Be sure to submit your question here

Bernie Sanders announced his comprehensive climate plan, The Green New Deal, which lays out a road map for addressing the climate crisis starting on day one in the White House, charting a course to decarbonize our power and transportation sectors by 2030 and achieving net zero climate pollution by 2050. The plan focuses on creating family sustaining jobs in the clean energy economy and investing in frontline communities who have been hit first and worst by climate change–including under-resourced groups and communities of color.

Jay Inslee set an incredibly high bar when he launched his presidential campaign with a central focus on climate action and he has continued to demonstrate that leadership with strong proposals for climate action up until he ended his campaign this week. Inslee’s plan to move our country to 100% clean energy is the kind of bold vision we need to tackle the climate crisis. He has played a crucial role in elevating the climate crisis in this primary. More from LCV’s statement

Climate is also getting a lot of attention in key 2020 early primary states thanks to the leadership from Senators and Members of Congress.

In Nevada, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto focused on the importance of climate action in the state–hosting a summit on wildfires, calling for collaborative solutions at the Lake Tahoe Summit, and highlighting the opportunities to invest in clean transportation at a forum. 

In New Hampshire, Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster led a round table on how the climate crisis is impacting the forestry and outdoor recreation industries in the state. 

Here are some more climate highlights from the 2020 trail: 

  • Joe Biden in his first campaign ad pledges to “lead the world on climate.”
  • Cory Booker tweeted “Climate change must be the lens through which we view everything” in a call for action.
  • Pete Buttigieg called for bipartisan support for action on climate while campaigning in South Carolina. 
  • Julián Castro plans to “double wind power in the United States and expand exports of green technology around the globe” in Iowa. 
  • Kirsten Gillibrand talked about the Green New Deal with the Washington Post. 
  • Kamala Harris noted the impacts of climate action in a tweet confirming her participation in the CNN town hall. 
  • Amy Klobuchar spoke about climate and infrastructure at the Native American Forum in Iowa. 
  • At the Iowa State Fair, Seth Moulton spoke about investing in innovation and conversation to combat climate change.
  • Beto O’Rourke knocked on the door of an Iowa voter who asks about climate change. 
  • Tom Steyer talked with NowThis about climate action and why he is running for president. 
  • In Minnesota, Elizabeth Warren called out “25 years of corruption” for blocking climate action.  
  • Andrew Yang discussed the serious nature of the climate crisis on NPR. 

Visit changetheclimate2020.com for additional climate updates.