The campaign is heating up and climate action has never been more important. Here’s what the presidential candidates were doing and saying this week on the campaign trail.
In New Hampshire, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) spoke on climate change and the need to invest in infrastructure for “the kind of change that is coming in our direction.” Her remarks on climate change “drew one of her loudest ovations of the day” at one event. Senator Warren also unveiled a new plan to help family farms compete, which is connected to climate change.
Today a farmer can work hard, do everything right — even get great weather — and still not make it. My new idea would level the playing field for America’s farmers by standing up to Big Ag and un-rigging the rules that are hurting competition. https://t.co/4IoQU3XMpW
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) March 27, 2019
At the end of last week, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) committed to run a carbon neutral campaign. Senator Sanders also called for climate action at rallies in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
$200 million. That’s how much the five largest oil and gas companies spend EVERY year to prevent meaningful action on climate change.
When we are in the White House we will not allow them to destroy our planet for profit any longer.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 23, 2019
Former Representative Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) campaigned on addressing climate change during his first campaign trips to South Carolina and Nevada.
.@BetoORourke discussing climate change at first Nevada stop. pic.twitter.com/1ei82trKV3
— Gromer M. Jeffers (@gromerjeffers) March 24, 2019
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) shared “why it’s important to have “the voice of a Midwesterner” on climate change.” Senator Klobuchar also released a plan to invest in America’s infrastructure including clean energy and climate smart infrastructure that will help combat the climate crisis.
NEW: @amyklobuchar wants to bring back Infrastructure Week.
Out w/ her first major policy proposal on fixing roads, airports, public schools, etc., while addressing climate change/job creation.
But details on funding mechanism are less clear. https://t.co/37wtCSQXXm
— Elena Schneider (@ec_schneider) March 28, 2019
Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA) took his campaign’s Climate Mission Tour to Oregon where he met with workers in clean energy. Governor Inslee also made a push to ensure climate change is part of the presidential debates and called out the subsidies given to fossil fuel companies.
We are giving billions of dollars in subsidies to fossil fuel companies. They are spending millions to deceive the American people on climate change. Both must end. #OurClimateMoment https://t.co/REH0Q4Foqa
— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) March 25, 2019
Former Governor John Hickenlooper (D-CO) wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post outlining his concerns with the Green New Deal and calling for a new approach to tackle climate change.
Climate change is a defining challenge of our time, and yet @realDonaldTrump taking us in the wrong direction.
— John Hickenlooper (@Hickenlooper) March 26, 2019
Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) continued to focus on her speaking truth theme — including on climate change — at campaign rallies in Texas and Georgia.
This Administration is deliberately ignoring the threat of climate change and favoring polluters over American’s health. We can’t leave our children and their children to deal with the consequences of their inaction.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) March 28, 2019
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) called for climate action in her first major speech as a candidate. Senator Gillibrand also spoke at press conference ahead of the Senate vote on the Green New Deal.
Today’s #GreenNewDeal vote is a partisan stunt to side-step needed debate on climate action, and give Republicans cover to put oil lobby checks over our kids. I’ve come to expect nothing less from @senatemajldr.
I’ll be voting “present.” I don’t play ball with bad-faith farces.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) March 26, 2019
Former Representative John Delaney (D-MD) announced a plan to end subsidies for the fossil fuel industrying and increase investments in Negative Emissions Technology.
Right now your tax dollars are subsidizing fossil fuels, making climate change worse. Read my plan to end those subsidies and invest instead in negative emissions technologies that can actually take carbon out of the atmosphere.https://t.co/IFuj21a3iL
— John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) March 24, 2019
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) explained why his campaign is not accepting any fossil fuel money in a new video.
Senator Cory Booker (D- NJ) called out Senator McConnell playing political games around the vote on the Green New Deal. Senator Booker also discussed the need for climate action during his CNN Town hall.
.@CoryBooker pledges rejoining the Paris Climate Pact. On why he voted “present” on the #GreenNewDeal Senate vote– “I’m not going to play on Mitch McConnell’s cynical political games.” #BookerTownHall
— Kyung Lah (@KyungLahCNN) March 28, 2019
