Physical Address
23,24,25 & 26, 2nd Floor, Software Technology Park India, Opp: Garware Stadium,MIDC, Chikalthana, Aurangabad, Maharashtra – 431001 India
As climate change intensifies, so does the need for strong leadership and decisive action. On this front, US leaders who were in the fight for Presidency- Kamala Harris and Donald Trump present profoundly different approaches to addressing climate change. Their positions reflect starkly contrasting views, from domestic policy decisions and international commitments to renewable energy investment and fossil fuel extraction. Harris, as part of the Biden administration, emphasises climate urgency and sustainable solutions, while Trump has consistently questioned mainstream climate science and prioritized fossil fuel development even during his election campaigns. But did their opinions have an impact on the votes?
Diverging Views on the Urgency of Climate Change
The distinction between Harris and Trump on climate change is evident in their language and actions. During her campaign, Harris consistently highlighted climate change as a “crisis,” emphasizing the reality of climate impacts on communities and ecosystems. In a debate on ABC News, Harris contrasted her views with Trump’s, noting, “The former president said climate change is a hoax. What we know is that it is very real.” She pointed to real-world impacts, such as increased insurance premiums and loss of homes due to extreme weather, to underscore her sense of urgency.
Trump, meanwhile, has shown scepticism toward the immediacy of climate concerns. During a recent interview, he argued that “nuclear warming” poses a more significant threat than global warming. He also downplayed the risks of rising sea levels, suggesting that any increase would merely provide “more oceanfront property.” Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on climate science, claiming inaccurately that the earth is cooling and mischaracterising “global warming” as a term that has been replaced due to its perceived inaccuracy.
The Paris Agreement and International Cooperation
One of the most significant divides between Harris and Trump concerns the U.S. role in international climate initiatives, notably the Paris Agreement. The 2015 Paris Agreement brought together countries worldwide to set voluntary targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and it includes financial commitments from wealthier nations to support developing countries in their climate efforts.
During his presidency, Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, calling it a “rip-off” and asserting that it placed unfair financial burdens on the U.S. while countries like China paid “nothing.” Trump has since indicated that, if re-elected, he would again withdraw from the agreement, describing it as “ridiculously one-sided.”
In contrast, the Biden-Harris administration rejoined the Paris Agreement in early 2021. Under this renewed commitment, the U.S. set ambitious goals for reducing emissions by 50–52% from 2005 levels by 2030. Harris has supported international climate cooperation, stating that meeting global climate goals requires global collaboration. Her campaign highlights her dedication to maintaining the U.S. as a leader in climate action and working alongside other countries to combat climate change.
Renewable Energy Investment and the Inflation Reduction Act
At the core of the Biden-Harris administration’s climate agenda is the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed with Harris casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate in 2022. The IRA is a landmark piece of legislation that directs substantial funding toward renewable energy projects, aiming to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions through investment in clean energy infrastructure, such as solar, wind, and battery storage. An analysis published in *Science* projected that, with the IRA’s support, the U.S. could achieve a 37% reduction in emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, compared to 28% without the IRA.
Harris’s campaign materials highlight the IRA as a critical component of her climate platform, crediting the act with building a clean energy economy and promoting energy independence. As president, Harris pledges to build upon the IRA’s success, expanding its provisions for renewable energy and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. Harris’s platform also addresses the need to streamline permitting for renewable energy projects, ensuring they can be completed efficiently.
Trump, on the other hand, has derided the IRA and related climate policies as part of a “green new scam.” He has expressed a desire to curtail the IRA’s renewable energy incentives and prioritise fossil fuel development instead. Trump has also questioned the viability of wind energy, a significant focus of the IRA, and remains critical of large-scale government investment in renewable technologies.
Electric Vehicles and Emissions Standards
The transportation sector is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, making the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) a central focus of climate policy. Harris supports policies that encourage EV adoption and foster advancements in battery technology. Speaking in Michigan, Harris affirmed her commitment to ensuring that EVs are manufactured and accessible in the United States, stressing that American workers would lead the transition to cleaner vehicles.
Trump, however, has expressed scepticism about EVs. He has mocked the Biden-Harris administration’s EV policies, falsely claiming that Harris “wants to outlaw your car and truck.” He has also spread misinformation regarding the weight and cost of EVs and their impact on infrastructure, suggesting that batteries make electric trucks “double and triple” the weight of conventional vehicles — an exaggeration unsupported by regulations or standards.
Biden’s environmental regulations include emissions standards for vehicles beginning with model year 2027, which are expected to increase the share of EVs on the road significantly. Although no EV mandate exists, these regulations are anticipated to make zero-emission vehicles more prevalent. Trump has voiced opposition to these emissions standards and has indicated he would consider removing the $7,500 tax credit for EV purchases, which is currently part of the IRA.
Fossil Fuel Projects and Energy Policy
A core element of Trump’s platform is his commitment to expanding fossil fuel production, encapsulated in his rallying call to “drill, baby, drill!” His energy policy includes increasing oil and gas extraction, fast-tracking permits, and expanding drilling on public lands. Trump has also proposed reviving the Keystone XL oil pipeline, a project halted under the Biden administration due to environmental concerns.
While Harris supports increasing U.S. energy production, her policies prioritise clean energy and limit fossil fuel expansion. Although she has expressed support for energy diversity, including some fossil fuel production, Harris has emphasised the need to transition to renewable energy sources and phase out practices like fracking. However, on the campaign trail, she has clarified that she does not support a complete ban on fracking, aligning with a balanced approach between immediate energy needs and long-term environmental goals.
Climate Science and Public Communication
A consistent scepticism of climate change has marked Trump’s approach to climate science. At a rally in New York, he claimed that “global warming” is no longer used because the planet is cooling — an assertion that misrepresents scientific consensus and ignores precise data showing rising global temperatures. Trump has also suggested that mainstream climate science is exaggerated or manipulated, statements that have contributed to public doubt about the seriousness of climate change.
Harris, meanwhile, has taken a clear stance in favour of climate science, acknowledging the severe consequences of global warming. Her public comments emphasise the need for climate action to protect communities, improve air and water quality, and prevent further environmental degradation. Harris’s consistent framing of climate change as a “crisis” aligns with the language used by many scientists and environmental advocates who stress the urgency of the climate threat.
Voters’ Priorities: Climate Change Not a Decisive Factor
In their climate agendas, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump exemplify sharply divergent visions for the United States’ approach to environmental policy. Harris emphasises the need for urgent climate action, international collaboration, and renewable energy investment, positioning the U.S. as a leader in the global fight against climate change. Trump, conversely, prioritises fossil fuel production and has consistently cast doubt on the science of climate change, framing his energy policy around immediate economic gains rather than long-term sustainability. Despite Donald Trump’s evident reluctance to prioritise climate change during his last presidency, American voters did not make his environmental stance a decisive factor in their voting choices.
References:
https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/election-trump-harris-11-06-24/index.htmlBanner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/11/06/trump-win-climate-change-oil-gas
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54797743
Banner Image: Photo by Jon Tyson https://unsplash.com/photos/text-FgewqOVtwbY
