issues2000

Topics in the News: Global Warming


Gavin Newsom on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Feb 10, 2022)
We will write the playbook on confronting climate change

Forging an Oil-Free Future: The plan will decrease California's reliance on fossil fuels while preparing our economy and workforce for a clean energy future. California will write the playbook for how America confronts the impacts of climate change-- investing billions in climate tech research & development, clean cars, preparing Californians for career opportunities, and further readying our infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
Click for Gavin Newsom on other issues.   Source: 2022 State of the State Address to California legislature

Jay Inslee on Global Warming: (Environment Jan 11, 2022)
As the future of salmon goes so goes the future of our state

As the future of salmon goes, so goes the future of our state. Our region's salmon are threatened by climate change, pollution and habitat loss. My budget would put $187 million toward salmon recovery. We must restore the green corridors along rivers and streams known as riparian habitat, which keeps the water clean and cool. Our legislation sets a unique blueprint for each river and stream habitat to conserve and restore these critical lands. Our salmon cannot wait. They need action, this day.
Click for Jay Inslee on other issues.   Source: 2022 State of the State Address to Washington legislature

Antony Blinken on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Oct 31, 2021)
Climate change not tomorrow's problem; it's today's problem

There is, increasingly, I think an understanding that we're seeing every single day storms, droughts, all sorts of natural occurrences that have been exacerbated by climate change, conflict driven by climate change, refugees driven by climate change, fights over resources driven by climate change. This is not tomorrow's problem. This is today's problem, and I think there's a much greater consciousness of that.
Click for Antony Blinken on other issues.   Source: CBS Face the Nation 2021 interview of Secretary of State

Antony Blinken on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Oct 31, 2021)
China's incentive on climate change not being world outlier

Q: What incentive does China have to act right now? They seem to be increasingly an adversary of the United States.

BLINKEN: Well, I think the number one interest is in not being a world outlier. Their own people would benefit dramatically from China taking the necessary steps on climate change. So would the international community. To the extent that China cares about it's -- how it's seen in the world, it also needs to think about stepping up.

Click for Antony Blinken on other issues.   Source: CBS Face the Nation 2021 interview of Secretary of State

Larry Elder on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Jul 22, 2021)
Against radicals for whom climate change is a religion

Newsom's surrounded by an army of radicals for whom climate change is a religion-- and growth and development a villain. Because of their fierce opposition to growth, the average home in California costs 150% more than the national average. Because of their radical environmentalism, they oppose building the infrastructure necessary to supply consistent energy and water to a population of 40 million, leaving us with a crumbling system built in the `70's to support a population twice that size.
Click for Larry Elder on other issues.   Source: 2021 California Governor campaign website ElectElder.com

Michael Bennet on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Jun 10, 2021)
Endorsed by LCV to tackle the climate crisis

Betting that climate change will be at the top of voters' minds in 2022, the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund made its first round of endorsements, backing nine incumbent senators--all Democrats.

The endorsements, first shared with CQ Roll Call, went to Michael Bennet of Colorado, Alex Padilla of California, Patty Murray of Washington, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Ron Wyden of Oregon.

"Voters really are demanding that the administration, the Senate, and the House do something about investing in clean energy jobs and tackling the climate crisis in 2022," said the vice president of governmental affairs for LCV Action Fund. Climate change has been growing in importance for voters over time, and a majority of registered voters said it was a very or somewhat important factor.

Click for Michael Bennet on other issues.   Source: Rollcall.com on LCV 2022 endorsements

Elizabeth Warren on Global Warming: (Civil Rights May 4, 2021)
Every policy should be examined in terms of racial realities

Every policy, not just those involving housing or higher education, should be examined in terms of the current racial realities. Every policy tool, including radically explicit tools, should be examined to see how it might help racial inequalities. And that's what I tried to do during my campaign. Every time I drew up a new plan for addressing one of the items on the long list of problems we face-from climate change to closing the pay gap for women, I made sure to find out everything I could about how racial inequities figured into the problems and then think about my plans in terms of race. To my mind that's how a race conscious approach to policy ought to work.
Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues.   Source: Persist, by Elizabeth Warren, p.187-188

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Apr 22, 2021)
Convened "climate world summit"; cut US emissions in half

PROMISE MADE: (JoeBiden.com website): Biden will, in his first 100 days in office, convene a climate world summit to directly engage the leaders of the major carbon-emitting nations of the world to persuade them to join the US in making more ambitious national pledges.

PROMISE KEPT: (NPR, 4/22/21): Emphasizing US commitments on climate change, Pres. Biden kicked off the first international summit during his presidency. He announced that the US would cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half, from 2005 levels, by the end of the decade. Biden was joined by 40 heads of government on Earth Day, focused entirely on lowering greenhouse gas emissions quickly in order to prevent the worst outcomes of a rapidly warming planet.

ANALYSIS: Much of the substantive work on cutting GHGs has yet to be done; only plans & proposals have been announced. However, the 2-day summit, which included Russia & China, fulfills Biden's pledge, within his first 100 days.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: NPR on Biden Administration promises

Janet Yellen on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Mar 31, 2021)
Climate change an existential threat to our environment

On the climate change issue, Yellen reiterated concerns that she has shared on the issue and have been voiced by several Fed officials. The central bank recently has established a pair of committees that will examine what big banks should be doing to brace against climate-related events. "It's an existential threat to our environment, and it poses a tremendous risk to our country's financial stability," Yellen said.
Click for Janet Yellen on other issues.   Source: CNBC on 2021 Biden Administration

Bill Nelson on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Mar 18, 2021)
Climate change, sea-level rise risk lives and property

Biden administration's expected push to expand the space agency's Earth science missions part of a broader effort to combat climate change and its consequences, such as rising sea levels, which were a top priority for Nelson in his home state. "It's not an exaggeration to say that climate change and sea-level rise are putting people's lives and their property at risk. It's reality," Nelson said on the Senate floor in 2018. "The real question is, what are we going to do about it?"
Click for Bill Nelson on other issues.   Source: Politico.com on 2021 Biden Transition

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Jan 27, 2021)
Appoint Special Envoy for Climate; recognize climate crisis

PROMISE MADE: (Atlanta debate, Nov 20, 2019): BIDEN on climate: "I think it is the existential threat to humanity. I was passing the first climate change bill, while I managed the $90 billion recovery plan, investing more money in infrastructure that related to clean energy than any time ever."

PROMISE KEPT: (Executive Order on Climate Crisis , 1/27/21): It is the policy of my Administration that climate considerations shall be an essential element of U.S. foreign policy and national security. I have created a new Presidentially appointed position, the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, to elevate the issue of climate change and underscore the commitment my Administration will make toward addressing it.

OnTheIssues ANALYSIS: Biden's order acknowledges primacy of climate change as a matter of national security (which the Trump administration did not). Former Secretary of State John Kerry was appointed as the first "special envoy."

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: White House press release on Biden Promises

Janet Yellen on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Jan 19, 2021)
Can't solve climate crisis without effective carbon pricing

During her confirmation hearing, Yellen talked about climate change as a priority, describing it as an existential threat and a risk to the financial system. In response to senators' questions, she wrote that she believes "we cannot solve the climate crisis without effective carbon pricing" and that President Joe Biden "supports an enforcement mechanism that requires polluters to bear the full cost of the carbon pollution they are emitting."
Click for Janet Yellen on other issues.   Source: TheConversation.com blog on 2021 Biden Cabinet

Jennifer Granholm on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Dec 20, 2020)
Energy policy "all-in" with input from different groups

When pressed by Stephanopoulos on progressives who argue that Biden's plan does not go far enough, Granholm stressed that the administration was undertaking an "all-in" strategy which includes input from a number of different groups. "The Green New Deal was an important framework for what Joe Biden has put on tap. This is the most robust climate change plan ever," Granholm said. "It is going to be an effort that runs through government."
Click for Jennifer Granholm on other issues.   Source: ABC This Week on 2021 Biden administration

Jennifer Granholm on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Dec 20, 2020)
Combating climate change is an economic opportunity

Combating climate change is such an economic opportunity for this country. There's going to be trillions of dollars spent globally on combating climate change by countries around the world. We could be producing those products here in the United States and exporting them. We need to be the leader, rather than passive bystanders. Or, otherwise, we're going to allow other countries, like China and others who are fighting to be able to corner this market.
Click for Jennifer Granholm on other issues.   Source: ABC This Week on 2021 Energy Secretary Confirmation Hearings

Jennifer Granholm on Global Warming: (Jobs Dec 20, 2020)
Environmental equity: jobs & benefits to those hardest hit

[Biden]'s very focused as well on making sure that the benefits of fighting climate change, the jobs, are focused on the communities that have been hardest hit by environmental pollution, for example, or that are the poorest communities. So, both environmental equity, the equity associated with energy opportunity, and creating jobs for Americans, that is going to be the mission of the Department of Energy, in addition to the great work that they already do.
Click for Jennifer Granholm on other issues.   Source: ABC This Week on 2021 Energy Secretary Confirmation Hearings

Deb Haaland on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Dec 19, 2020)
Will work to undo fossil fuel development on public lands

Rep. Haaland has said she would work to undo public lands policies that have led to a shortsighted focus on fossil fuel development, instead expanding renewable energy production. Fossil fuels drilled and mined on public lands account for nearly one-quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and experts say addressing such development would be an important step in confronting climate change.
Click for Deb Haaland on other issues.   Source: The Wilderness Society on Biden Cabinet

Deb Haaland on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Dec 18, 2020)
Campaigned on climate change, backs Green New Deal

Haaland said she would be a "partner" to address the impacts of climate change and environmental injustice. She protested the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline at Standing Rock in 2016 and her first congressional campaign in 2018 was centered on climate change and environmental justice. She backs the Green New Deal to address climate change and economic inequality that is to the left of positions taken by Biden, who has nonetheless called it a "crucial framework."
Click for Deb Haaland on other issues.   Source: 19th News e-zine on 2021 Biden Cabinet

Cedric Richmond on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Dec 15, 2020)
Carbon neutrality by 2050 will require building coalitions

He also said that his ties to the energy industry shouldn't concern those who support Biden's ambition of carbon neutrality by 2050, which he shares. The big companies get it and are working toward that future too, Richmond pointed out. "It is going to take some bipartisan support, but also some coalitions, to protect our environment and to really battle climate change . the truth is everybody has some ideas, and I think everybody should be brought in."
Click for Cedric Richmond on other issues.   Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune on 2021 OPE Confirmation Hearings

Deb Haaland on Global Warming: (Principles & Values Dec 11, 2020)
First Native American to head Interior Department

"We believe it is long past time that a Native American person serve as Secretary of the Interior," more than 150 elected leaders of tribal nations wrote in a letter last week to Biden's transition team. "Rep. Haaland has championed the environment, helped lead efforts to address climate change, and worked to improve the nation-to-nation relationship between our Tribes and the United States -- all issues within the Department of the Interior's responsibilities."
Click for Deb Haaland on other issues.   Source: 19th News e-zine on 2021 Cabinet Confirmation Hearings

Deb Haaland on Global Warming: (Government Reform Dec 10, 2020)
Climate Stewardship Act, plant 15 billion trees by 2050

I'll push the natural climate solutions in my Climate Stewardship Act, which would support planting over 4 billion trees by 2030 and 15 billion trees by 2050 and restore or protect over 2 million acres of coastal wetlands by 2030. These measures will remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it, improve coastal resilience, and provide habit for fish and wildlife, particularly those seeking refuge from the impacts of climate change. And they can be part of an economic recovery ag
Click for Deb Haaland on other issues.   Source: Press release haaland.house.gov on Biden Cabinet

John Hickenlooper on Global Warming: (Technology Nov 3, 2020)
Provide ample funding for scientific research

Hickenlooper supports ample funding for scientific research to help create evidence-based policy to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, including addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, gun violence, inequity, and more. Hickenlooper believes strongly in protecting the integrity of scientific research, including the accuracy and transparency in its communication; and as a former geologist in the U.S. Senate, he will be a strong and knowledgeable voice in support.
Click for John Hickenlooper on other issues.   Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Colorado Senate race

Tim Ryan on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Oct 29, 2020)
We must get serious about reducing carbon emissions

The threat of global climate change is one of the most critical issues facing our world today. The science is clear that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to accelerate, we will see increased climate instability, more frequent severe weather, rising sea levels, and irreversible losses to natural resources and wildlife. We owe it to future generations of Americans to tackle this problem head-on by getting serious about reducing carbon emissions that threaten public health and welfare.
Click for Tim Ryan on other issues.   Source: Mahoning Matters on 2022 Ohio Senate race

Jay Inslee on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Oct 22, 2020)
Forest wildfires are "climate fires"

Inslee has called the fires that have decimated small towns in Washington "climate fires," while Culp has questioned climate change. But on the wildfires specifically, Culp blames poor forest management in the state and, by extension, Inslee. But Inslee blames Trump for slashing the budget for thinning forests. He adds it takes time for forest management, but that the state's investment in forest treatment has gone up significantly since he's been in office.

Inslee has called the fires that have decimated small towns in Washington "climate fires," while Culp has questioned climate change. But on the wildfires specifically, Culp blames poor forest management in the state and, by extension, Inslee. But Inslee blames Trump for slashing the budget for thinning forests. He adds it takes time for forest management, but that the state's investment in forest treatment has gone up significantly since he's been in office.

Click for Jay Inslee on other issues.   Source: Inlander.com on 2020 Washington Gubernatorial debate

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Oct 22, 2020)
My plan fights climate change and creates jobs

BIDEN: Climate change is an existential threat to humanity. I was able to get environmental organizations as well as people worried about jobs, to support my climate plan. Because it will create millions of new good paying jobs, we're going to invest in, for example, 50,000 charging stations so that we can own the electric car market of the future. We're going to take 4 million buildings and 2 million homes and retrofit them so they don't leak as much energy, saving hundreds of millions of barrels of oil in the process and creating significant number of jobs.

TRUMP: The [Paris Climate Accord], I took us out because we were going to have to spend trillions of dollars and we were treated very unfairly. I will not sacrifice tens of millions of jobs, thousands and thousands of companies because of the Paris Accord, it was so unfair.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: Third 2020 Presidential Debate, moderated by Kristen Welker

Donald Trump on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Oct 22, 2020)
The Paris Accord is not fair to U.S.

TRUMP: The [Paris Climate Accord], I took us out because we were going to have to spend trillions of dollars and we were treated very unfairly. When they put us in there, they did us a great disservice, they were going to take away our businesses. I will not sacrifice tens of millions of jobs, thousands and thousands of companies because of the Paris Accord, it was so unfair. China doesn't kick in until 2030, Russia goes back to a low standard, and we kicked in right away.

BIDEN: Climate change is an existential threat to humanity. I was able to get environmental organizations--as well as people worried about jobs--to support my climate plan. Because it will create millions of new good paying jobs, we're going to take 4 million buildings and 2 million homes and retrofit them so they don't leak as much energy, saving hundreds of millions of barrels of oil in the process and creating significant number of jobs.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues.   Source: Third 2020 Presidential Debate, moderated by Kristen Welker

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Oct 15, 2020)
Weatherize 4 million buildings and 2 million homes

Every time we talk about global warming or the environment, the president thinks it's a joke and I think of jobs. What we have to do is focus on the transmission of energy across the country from areas relating to solar and wind.

The reason is that they have not, that has not been mastered yet. I met a lot of people in Silicon Valley. The battery technology is increasing significantly so you're going to be able to have, for example, solar on your home and a battery in your basement. So when the sun doesn't shine for five days, you still have enough energy. So, we're making significant progress.

The other thing we're going to do is provide an awful lot of work. It's estimated to put close to a million people to work by weatherizing four million buildings and two million homes, because we'll save tons and tons of energy or billions of barrels of energy over time. And at the same time provide significant employment and a good union wages, prevailing wages.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: Second 2020 Presidential Debate/ABC Town Hall Philadelphia

John Hickenlooper on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Oct 10, 2020)
Calls for 100% renewable energy by 2050

Q: Consider human-caused climate change a serious threat, and address by limiting output of greenhouse gases?

John Hickenlooper: Yes. "The defining challenge of our time." Must face with "fierce sense of urgency." Would rejoin Paris Accord; calls for 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Corey Gardner: Mixed. "Humans are contributing to climate change." Will push for clean-tech investments, but voted against cutting carbon emissions from power plants.

Click for John Hickenlooper on other issues.   Source: CampusElect on 2020 Colorado Senate race

Mike Pence on Global Warming: (Free Trade Oct 7, 2020)
Vote against USMCA was a vote against jobs

American people deserve to know Senator Kamala Harris was one of only 10 members of the Senate to vote against the USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada Agreement). It was a huge win for American auto workers. It was a huge win for American farmers. But Senator you said it didn't go far enough on climate change, you put your radical environmental agenda ahead of American jobs.
Click for Mike Pence on other issues.   Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah

John Hickenlooper on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Oct 6, 2020)
Climate change a threat, green energy means new jobs

The two men also argued about energy, with Gardner renewing accusations that Hickenlooper, a former petroleum geologist, would end 230,000 jobs in the fossil fuel industry because of fears of climate change. Hickenlooper called climate change "an existential threat" and argued an investment in green energy would create a record number of new jobs.
Click for John Hickenlooper on other issues.   Source: Denver Post on 2020 Colorado Senate debate

Donald Trump on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Sep 29, 2020)
Rolled back Clean Power Plan; it increased energy prices

Q: When state officials in the West blamed the raging forest fires on climate change, you said, "I don't think the science knows." You have pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Accord. What do you believe about the science of climate change?

TRUMP: If you look at the Paris Accord, it was a disaster from our standpoint. And people are actually very happy about what's going on because our businesses are doing well.

Q: Do you believe that human greenhouse gas emissions contribute to the global warming of this planet?

TRUMP: I think a lot of things do, but I think to an extent, yes. But I also think we have to do better management of our forest. Every year I get the call, "California's burning!" If you had good forest management, you wouldn't be getting those calls.

Q: If you believe in the science of climate change, why have you rolled back the Obama Clean Power Plan which limited carbon emissions?

TRUMP: Because it was driving energy prices through the sky.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues.   Source: First 2020 Presidential Debate, moderated by Chris Wallace

Mike Pence on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Sep 22, 2020)
Cap and trade would raise home utility rates more than $3100

[NUVO, 9/27/12]: "I'm concerned about policies like a national energy tax that would work such a hardship on Hoosier utility ratepayers. I think the issue of climate change -- and the cause of any climate change that's occurring -- is a subject of scientific debate. And I think the science should always drive that debate, but I strongly oppose efforts to enact cap and trade legislation at the national level."

[Federal News Service, 4/20/09]: "Now, you've got the EPA essentially saying that carbon dioxide represents a threat to the environment and that's going to set into motion, Democrats on Capitol Hill and this administration, bringing forward a cap and trade bill, which literally could see the utility rates of every American household go up by more than $3,100 per year."

Click for Mike Pence on other issues.   Source: FactCheck on 2020 Trump Research Book

Mike Pence on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Sep 22, 2020)
Global warming is a myth; treaty is a disaster

[Mike Pence For Congress via Wayback Machine, 2000]: "Global warming is a myth. The global warming treaty is a disaster. There, I said it. Just like the 'new ice age' scare of the 1970's, the environmental movement has found a new chant for their latest 'chicken little' attempt to raise taxes & grow centralized governmental power. The chant is 'the sky is warming! the sky is warming!'"

[Star Press, 1/7/10]: "On nuclear power: 'I think we ought to build 100 new nuclear plants in the next 20 years.'"

Click for Mike Pence on other issues.   Source: FactCheck on 2020 Trump Research Book

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Education Sep 17, 2020)
$100B for school ventilation; part of $1T for infrastructure

Q: How you will make sure our communities are protected from the results of global warming?

BIDEN: I have laid out in detail what I'll do, and I'm going to see to it that I said we get to a net zero power grid by 2035. No president can [instantly] turn around and change what we're doing. We're going to get to net zero emissions by the year 2050 before. In the meantime, there's so much we can do and still make it better for people. We're going to invest in close to a trillion dollars over time in the near time for infrastructure. We're going to build green infrastructure. For example, I propose that we spend $100 billion on making sure our schools have the right the right ventilation, [to ensure that] your schools, in fact, are safe. Making sure schools are in a position where they are not generating the use of more energy. We're going to build back buildings that vastly cut down on the amount of fossil fuels that we use.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: CNN Town Hall 2020 drive-in with Anderson Cooper

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Sep 17, 2020)
When I hear global warming, I think jobs

When Trump thinks about global warming, he thinks "hoax." When I hear global warming, I think "jobs." I'm going to make sure that we have 500,000 charging stations in our highways so we can all the electric car market, creating a million jobs and we can lead the world. And in Detroit, we can lead the world and making sure we move to electric vehicles.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: CNN Town Hall 2020 drive-in with Anderson Cooper

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Principles & Values Aug 21, 2020)
I believe America ready to face difficult crises

[Excerpts of DNC speech]: "History has delivered us to one of the most difficult moments America has ever faced," he said. "The worst pandemic in over 100 years. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The most compelling call for racial justice since the 60s. And the undeniable realities and accelerating threats of climate change. So, the question for us is simple: are we ready? I believe we are."
Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: D.Strauss/The Guardian on 2020 Dem. National Convention

Andrew Yang on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Aug 20, 2020)
Decarbonize US economy by 2035

Yang said, "The magic of Joe Biden is that everything he does becomes the new reasonable."

"If he comes with an ambitious template to address climate change, all of a sudden, everyone is going to follow his lead." He's floated a climate plan that would decarbonize the US economy by 2035. Waleed Shahid, the communications director for Justice Democrats, told Vox that Biden's policy slate is "the most progressive platform of any Democratic nominee in the modern history of the party."

Click for Andrew Yang on other issues.   Source: Zack Beauchamp on Vox.com on 2020 Dem. National Convention

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Aug 20, 2020)
Climate change not only a crisis but an enormous opportunity

We can, and we will, deal with climate change. It's not only a crisis, it's an enormous opportunity. An opportunity for America to lead the world in clean energy and create millions of new good-paying jobs in the process.
Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: Acceptance speech at 2020 Democratic National Convention

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Principles & Values Aug 20, 2020)
Four historic crises, all at the same time: a perfect storm

History has delivered us to one of the most difficult moments America has ever faced. Four historic crises. All at the same time. A perfect storm. The worst pandemic in over 100 years. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The most compelling call for racial justice since the '60s. And the undeniable realities and accelerating threats of climate change. So, the question for us is simple: Are we ready? I believe we are. We must be.

I will be a Democratic candidate, I will be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn't support me as I will for those who did. That's the job of a president. To represent all of us, not just our base or our party. This is not a partisan moment. This must be an American moment. America isn't just a collection of clashing interests of red states or blue states. We're so much bigger than that. We're so much better than that.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: Acceptance speech at 2020 Democratic National Convention

Donald Trump on Global Warming: (Corporations Jun 9, 2020)
OpEd: replaced scientific fact with profit-driven opinion

Convincing Americans not to trust the government was the first step. For decades, Congressional Republicans have executed the second step by stripping crucial bureaucracies of funding. The third step has been replacing scientific fact with profit- driven opinion. [For example, with] climate change deniers, modern conservative ideology has rejected research as a necessary ingredient for decision making.

The weakening of our public administration infrastructure has reached its pinnacle in the Trump administration. Trump and his cabinet have consistently derided the very institutions they lead. Americans have become inured to the churn of cabinet officials and staff officials and staff departures. Trump's steady stream lies has half of the country turning a deaf ear and the other half ingesting false information. Trump's actions have built on the GOP's intentional destruction of institutions, and has left America weakened in a time of international crisis.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues.   Source: Our Time Is Now, by Stacey Abrams, p.256-7

Stacey Abrams on Global Warming: (Government Reform Jun 9, 2020)
Restore our public administration infrastructure

Convincing Americans not to trust the government was the first step. For decades, Congressional Republicans have executed the second step by stripping crucial bureaucracies of funding. The third step has been replacing scientific fact with profit- driven opinion. [For example, with] climate change deniers, modern conservative ideology has rejected research as a necessary ingredient for decision making.

The weakening of our public administration infrastructure has reached its pinnacle in the Trump administration. Trump and his cabinet have consistently derided the very institutions they lead. Americans have become inured to the churn of cabinet officials and staff officials and staff departures. Trump's steady stream lies has half of the country turning a deaf ear and the other half ingesting false information. Trump's actions have built on the GOP's intentional destruction of institutions, and has left America weakened in a time of international crisis.

Click for Stacey Abrams on other issues.   Source: Our Time Is Now, by Stacey Abrams, p.256-7

Justin Amash on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil May 1, 2020)
Loves wind, solar, and nuclear, via private companies

I believe climate change is happening. I believe it's very important. I believe that humans do affect it, and that we should take action with respect to climate change. But we have to be smart about the actions we take. And some of the things we can do, for example, would be to look into further nuclear power, and finding ways to get nuclear power in this country because it is a relatively safe form of production and very low emissions compared to other forms of energy.

I love the idea of wind power and solar power and other things. I think that private actors need to get more involved and companies need to make it more of a priority. Companies themselves can get together and present their own metrics and present that to the public. There's no reason companies, for example, couldn't show off all the time about how environmentally friendly they are with their products. And then the people who like that can go buy that product.

Click for Justin Amash on other issues.   Source: Reason magazine on 2020 presidential hopefuls

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Environment Mar 15, 2020)
World should give $20B to Brazil to stop burning Amazon

The first thing that President Obama and I were summoned to the Defense Department for was [to hear their assessment that] the single greatest threat to our national security is climate change. Because as populations have to move because they can no longer live where they are, because their islands are sinking--It causes war, it causes great migrations. They said that's the single biggest problem.

In addition, I would immediately rejoin the Paris climate accord, which I helped put together. I would call on the 100 nations, the 100 major polluters, in the first 100 days, to up the ante and make it clear that in fact if they didn't, there'd be a price to pay.

And lastly, I would be right now organizing the hemisphere and the world, to provide $20 billion for the Amazon, for Brazil no longer to burn the Amazon, so they could have forests. They could have farming [but instead of burning, say], "This is what we're going to do." The region is burning out.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: 11th Democratic primary debate (Biden-Sanders one-on-one)

Bernie Sanders on Global Warming: (Health Care Feb 25, 2020)
International cooperation on coronavirus, and full funding

In the White House today, we have a self-described "great genius"--self-described--and this "great genius" has told us that this Coronavirus is going to end in two months. April is the magical day that this great scientist we have in the White House has determined--I wish I was kidding; that is what he said.

What do we have to do? Whether or not the issue is climate change, which is clearly a global crisis requiring international cooperation, or infectious diseases like Coronavirus, requiring international cooperation, we have to work and expand the World Health Organization.

Obviously, we have to make sure the CDC, the NIH, our infectious departments, are fully funded. This is a global problem. We've got to work with countries all the over the world to solve it.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues.   Source: 10th Democratic Primary debate on eve of S.C. primary

Amy Klobuchar on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Feb 19, 2020)
Money from energy savings should go back to working class

One, get back into that international climate change agreement. Two, clean power rules, bring those back. And the president can do this herself without Congress, as well as the gas mileage standard. But when it comes to putting a price on carbon, we have to make sure that that money goes back directly as dividends to the people that are going to need help for paying their bills. Otherwise, we're not going to pass it.
Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues.   Source: 9th Democrat 2020 primary debate, in Las Vegas Nevada

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Feb 19, 2020)
Invest in batteries to transmit solar power

The existential threat humanity faces is global warming. I went out to a facility where you have one of the largest solar panel arrays in the world. And when the fourth stage is completed, it will be able to take care of 60,000 homes for every single bit of their needs.

And what I would do is, number one, work on providing the $47 billion we have for tech and for making sure we find answers--to find a way to transmit that wind and solar energy across the network in the United States. Invest in battery technology.

I would immediately reinstate all of the elimination of what Trump has eliminated in terms of the EPA. I would secondly make sure that we had 500,000 new charging stations in every new highway we built or repaired. I would make sure that we once again made sure that we got the mileage standards back up which would have saved over 12 billion barrels of oil. And I would invest in rail. Rail can take millions of cars off the road if we have high-speed rail.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: MSNBC's 9th Democrat primary debate, in Las Vegas

Pete Buttigieg on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Feb 18, 2020)
Have to break idea that choice is between climate and jobs

Q: How do you protect our climate and economy simultaneously?

BUTTIGIEG: There is no question there will be a transition. I'm proposing that we invest over $200 billion in supporting workers through that transition. But we also estimate that we will create at least 3 million net new jobs by taking the action we must, to mobilize and fight climate change. We've got to break this idea that we're choosing between doing the right thing for our climate and doing the right thing for our economy.

Click for Pete Buttigieg on other issues.   Source: CNN Town Hall 2020 with Erin Burnett

Pope Francis on Global Warming: (Environment Feb 12, 2020)
Protect the Amazon region's cultural and natural vibrancy

For most of the lengthy document titled Querida Amazonia--or "Dear Amazon"--Pope Francis focused on climate change, and the struggle to protect the Amazon region's cultural and natural vibrancy.

Laying out what he calls his four "dreams" for the region, Francis called for "an Amazon region that 'fights for the rights of the poor,' that 'preserves its distinctive cultural riches,' that 'jealously preserves its overwhelming natural beauty' and lastly, that the Christian communities might be 'capable of generous commitment, incarnate in the Amazon region,' " as the official Vatican News reports.

Click for Pope Francis on other issues.   Source: Bill Chappell, "Men As Priests", on National Public Radio

Bernie Sanders on Global Warming: (Homeland Security Feb 8, 2020)
FactCheck: $1.8 trillion on all military, not just weapons

In discussing his hope to galvanize international support to collectively combat climate change, Sanders inaccurately characterized a statistic on global military spending. "Here is my dream--maybe it's a radical dream," Sanders said. "But maybe, just maybe, given the crisis of climate change, the world can understand that instead of spending $1.8 trillion a year, collectively, on weapons of destruction, designed to kill each other, maybe we pool our resources and fight our common enemy, which is climate change."

That $1.8 trillion represents spending on more than just weapons. The figure is the 2018 total world military expenditure, as calculated by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. "Military expenditure" refers to all government spending on current military forces and activities, including salaries and benefits, operational expenses, arms and equipment purchases, military construction, research and development, and central administration, command and support.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues.   Source: FactCheck.org on 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate

Amy Klobuchar on Global Warming: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020)
Voted yes for USMCA due to trade improvements

There were major improvements in this trade agreement when it comes to labor inspections, when it comes to getting rid of a sweetheart pharma deal and when it comes to climate change. We have to have Mexico and Canada and America working together and the best way to take on climate change as president, yes, I'll work to make this a part of every future trade agreement, but the best way to take on climate change is by getting back into the international climate change agreement.
Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues.   Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH

Bernie Sanders on Global Warming: (Free Trade Feb 7, 2020)
Not one word in USMCA that deals with climate change

What the environmental groups are saying, we're simply exporting fossil fuel emissions to Mexico. There is not one word in that trade agreement that deals with climate change and I don't know how in 2020 you can do that. Second of all, there is, in terms of outsourcing of jobs, a major crisis in this country. Nobody believes that under this Trump trade agreement that they will not be continued and significant outsourcing of jobs into low wage Mexico.
Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues.   Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH

Elizabeth Warren on Global Warming: (Government Reform Feb 7, 2020)
Now, our government is corrupt, works for rich only

People, whether they're Democrats, independents, or Republicans, understand that we've got a government works great for those at the top. Works great for drug companies, not for people trying to get a prescription filled. Works great for oil companies, not for the rest of us who see climate change bearing down on us. When you see a government that works great for those who can hire lobbyists and make big campaign donations and it's not working so great for everyone else,
Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues.   Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH

Tom Steyer on Global Warming: (Homeland Security Feb 7, 2020)
Need to change world view from war to climate change

This view of the world, that our response should be military is driven by our gigantic military complex and ignores the biggest problem that we face, which is climate change. It can only be solved with diplomacy and allies. So in fact, what we are listening to is a discussion of 20 years of failed military action and how we should continue spending $700 billion dollars a year on defense when we spend $70 billion dollars a year at the federal level on education.
Click for Tom Steyer on other issues.   Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH

Bernie Sanders on Global Warming: (Homeland Security Feb 7, 2020)
We spend $1.8T on collective military; spend it on climate

Here is my dream, maybe it's a radical dream, but maybe just may be given the crisis of climate change, the world can understand that instead of spending $1.8 trillion dollars a year collectively on weapons of destruction designed to kill each other, maybe we pool our resources and fight our common enemy, which is climate change.
Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues.   Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH

Bernie Sanders on Global Warming: (War & Peace Feb 7, 2020)
I listened about Iraq; they were lying thru their teeth

I also heard the arguments in terms of the war in Iraq from Bush, from Cheney, from John Bolton. If you hear what I said, it's on YouTube, my fears about all the destabilization that would take place by the US invading Iraq. That is what happened. Trump wants to build a wall around America. The problem is if we are going to deal with issues like climate change, not only do we in America have to take on the greed of the fossil fuel industry, we have to lead the entire world. It's a global issue.
Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues.   Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH

Mike Bloomberg on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Jan 20, 2020)
Make climate change a U.S. priority; rejoin Paris Agreement

Mike will immediately rejoin the Paris Agreement, re-assert global leadership by laying out an aggressive plan for U.S carbon reduction, and rally other countries to curb climate change. He will make climate change a priority of U.S. foreign policy. And he will protect the U.S. from climate-related security risks and protect the world's most vulnerable people from the impacts of climate change.

Mike will accelerate the use of clean energy to replace power from fossil fuels. He will set limits on air and water pollution from power plants. He will invest in communities that have suffered most from coal pollution or have been left behind in the transition to clean energy. He will expand incentives to make clean energy affordable for all families. And he will quadruple the federal R&D investment in clean energy and end subsidies for fossil fuels.

Mike will create a national program to invest in upgrading homes and buildings to save energy and reduce pollution.

Click for Mike Bloomberg on other issues.   Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website MikeBloomberg.com

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Jan 14, 2020)
I introduced the first climate change bill in 1986

Back in 1986, I introduced the first climate change bill--and check PolitiFact.com: they said it was a game-changer. I've been fighting this for a long time. I headed up the Recovery Act, which put more money into moving away from fossil fuels to solar and wind energy than ever has occurred in the history of America.

Look, what we have to do is we have to act right away. And immediately, if I'm elected president, I'll reinstate all the mileage standards that existed in our administration which were taken down. That's 12 billion barrels of gasoline to be saved immediately.

And with regard to those folks who in fact are going to be victimized by what's already happened, we should be investing in infrastructure that raises roads, makes sure that every new highway built is a green highway, having 550,000 charging stations.

We can create millions of good-paying jobs. We're the only country in the world that's ever taken great crises and turned them into great opportunity.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus

Pete Buttigieg on Global Warming: (Environment Jan 14, 2020)
Fight climate change and prepare for flood and fire

We have to fight climate change with such urgency. We have seen it in historic floods in my community. I had to activate our emergency operation center for a once-in-a- millennium flood. Then two years later had to do the same thing. This is no longer in the future. We have got to act, yes, to adapt, to make sure communities are more resilient, to make sure our economy is ready for the consequences that are going to happen one way or the other.
Click for Pete Buttigieg on other issues.   Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus

Tom Steyer on Global Warming: (Environment Jan 14, 2020)
Environmental justice, not managed retreat

Q: How to deal with those damaged by climate change?

Mayor Pete BUTTIGIEG: We are going to have to use federal funds to make sure that we are supporting those whose lives will inevitably be impacted. That disproportionately happens to black and brown Americans, which is why equity and environmental justice have to be at the core of our climate plan going forward.

STEYER: Look, what you're talking about is what's called managed retreat. It's basically saying we're going to have to move things because this crisis is out of control. And it's unbelievably expensive. And of course we'll come to the rescue of Americans who are in trouble. But this is why climate is my number one priority. I would do it from the standpoint of environmental justice and make sure we go to the black and brown communities where you can't breathe the air or drink the water that comes out of the tap safely.

Click for Tom Steyer on other issues.   Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus

Mike Bloomberg on Global Warming: (Free Trade Dec 24, 2019)
Trade with China is good for consumers & the US economy

Bloomberg has been a proponent of deeper trade and investment ties with China and he opposes President Trump's trade war with Beijing. He says the US must work closely with China on climate change and other issues, and has drawn scrutiny for his business relationships in the country.

He has advanced a more moderate view of China's leadership than some other candidates, saying in 2019 that Chinese President Xi Jinping is "not a dictator" and that Beijing is making progress on climate goals.

He opposes Trump's trade war with China, calling it a "failure of our government" and arguing that it is hurting the economy, costing jobs, and slowing innovation. He says China's unfair trade practices need to be addressed through negotiation.

He argues that trade with China is good for consumers and the US economy, but that China needs to further open its markets to US companies. He has previously said that expanded trade puts pressure on Beijing to "act responsibly" on the world stage.

Click for Mike Bloomberg on other issues.   Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2019 Democratic primary

Tom Steyer on Global Warming: (Homeland Security Dec 24, 2019)
Refocus and reduce U.S. military spending

Steyer criticizes Trump for losing the trust of military leadership, unnecessarily increasing Pentagon spending, and appointing "incompetent" officials in the Department of Veterans Affairs He backs an overall reduction in U.S. military spending, but says he will ensure the U.S. military is the "best-trained and best-equipped fighting force in the world." He argues that more defense spending should go toward emerging threats, including information warfare and climate change.
Click for Tom Steyer on other issues.   Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2019 Democratic primary

Amy Klobuchar on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Dec 19, 2019)
Reverse Trump climate rollbacks and put a price on carbon

We need to get back into the International Climate Change Agreement. I will do that on day one. On day two, bring back the clean power rules, on day three, the gas mileage standards. I see the governor of California who has been working so hard to get those done, defied every step of the way by the Trump administration. Then introduce legislation to put a price on carbon and build a bridge to the next century, which means we must upgrade buildings and building standards.
Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues.   Source: Newshour/Politico/PBS December Democratic primary debate

Amy Klobuchar on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Dec 19, 2019)
Show how investment in climate change will benefit Midwest

The way we take on climate change is by talking about what's happening in the Midwest. What we are seeing there is unprecedented flooding. We're seeing a 50% increase in home insurance. We have to make clear that money is going to come back to those areas where jobs are going to change and to make them whole with their energy bills. When you make the case like that, you bring in the Midwestern votes, and the best way to do it is by putting someone from the Midwest at the top of the ticket.
Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues.   Source: Newshour/Politico/PBS December Democratic primary debate

Mike Bloomberg on Global Warming: (Principles & Values Nov 25, 2019)
Knows how to beat Trump and his vile policies

Mike Bloomberg proclaimed "I know how to beat him. I already have and I will again." Bloomberg referenced advocacy campaigns he's backed since leaving office that have resulted in stronger gun legislation and climate change actions in direct conflict with Trump administration goals. "It's the most urgent and important fight of our lives. And I'm going all-in," Bloomberg, adding he would "stand up to the bigotry and hatred and wrong-headed policies" Trump was "anchored in."
Click for Mike Bloomberg on other issues.   Source: The Springfield Republican on 2019 Democratic primary

Pete Buttigieg on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Nov 20, 2019)
Conservative farmers are part of the climate change solution

Q: would you continue farm subsidies?

BUTTIGIEG: Farming should be one of the pillars of how we combat climate change. I believe the quest for the carbon negative farm could be as big a symbol as the electric car. It's an important part of how we make sure we recruit everybody to be part of the solution, including conservative communities where a lot of people have been made to feel that admitting climate science would mean acknowledging they're part of the problem.

Click for Pete Buttigieg on other issues.   Source: November Democratic primary debate in Atlanta

Joe Biden on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Nov 20, 2019)
Prioritized climate for decades, as existential threat

Tom STEYER: I'm the only person on this stage who will say that climate is the number-one priority. I would declare a state of emergency on day one. I've spent a decade fighting and beating oil companies, stopping pipelines, stopping fossil fuel plants, ensuring clean energy across the country. I would make this the number-one priority of my foreign policy.

Joe BIDEN: I think it is the existential threat to humanity. While I was passing the first climate change bill, while I managed the $90 billion recovery plan, investing more money in infrastructure that related to clean energy than any time we've ever done it, my friend was introducing more coal mines and produced more coal around the world, according to the press, than all of Great Britain produces.

Bernie SANDERS: If we don't get our act together within the next eight or nine years, we're talking about major cities going underwater, increased drought, increased extreme weather disturbances.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: November Democratic primary debate in Atlanta

Elizabeth Warren on Global Warming: (Environment Nov 20, 2019)
Public service for 10,000 people on public lands

This is about building for our entire nation. And I believe we should do that. I also believe we should have other service opportunities in this country. So, for example, what I want to do is for our federal lands, I want to bring in 10,000 people who want to be able to serve in our federal lands to be able to help rebuild our national forests and national parks as a way to express both their public service and their commitment to fighting back against climate change. We can do this as a nation.
Click for Elizabeth Warren on other issues.   Source: November Democratic primary debate in Atlanta

Andrew Yang on Global Warming: (Homeland Security Nov 20, 2019)
Threats of tomorrow are Chinese A.I. and military drones

Q: What has prepared you to respond to a terrorist attack or a major disaster?

YANG: As commander-in-chief, I think we need to be focused on the real threats of the 21st century. And what are those threats? Climate change, artificial intelligence, loose nuclear material, military drones, and non-state actors. And if you look, we're in the process of potentially losing the AI arms race to China right now, because they have more access to more data than we do, and their government is putting billions of dollars to work subsidizing the development of AI in a way that we are not. We are 24 years behind on technology. And I can say that with authority, because we got rid of the Office of Technology Assessment in 1995. Think about that timing. I guess they thought they'd invented everything. The next commander-in-chief has to be focused on the true threats of tomorrow. And that's what I will bring to the table as commander-in-chief.

Click for Andrew Yang on other issues.   Source: November Democratic primary debate in Atlanta

Mike Bloomberg on Global Warming: (Environment Nov 9, 2019)
Established NYC as largest bike-share network

Mike Bloomberg made New York City a global leader in fighting climate change and pioneering sustainability measures, while also building hundreds of acres of new parkland and re-opening major areas of the waterfront that had been abandoned by industry decades ago. In 2013, NYC's Citi Bike system was the largest bike share program in the country.
Click for Mike Bloomberg on other issues.   Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website MikeBloomberg.com

Tom Steyer on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Nov 7, 2019)
On Day 1: declare climate crisis a national emergency

On Day 1, I will declare the climate crisis a national emergency. In addition to taking bold executive actions, I will challenge Congress to pass vital legislation to enact a Green New Deal and provide additional funding to protect the country against climate and weather-related natural disasters. My Justice-Centered Climate Plan will eliminate fossil fuel pollution from all sectors to achieve a 100% clean energy economy and net-zero global warming pollution by no later than 2045.

I will ensure that protecting the climate is central to our diplomacy and trade policies. We can and will work with our partner nations to advance a global consensus. I will recommit to the Paris Climate Agreement and ratify the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol. I'll join the international Powering Past Coal Alliance, work to end global financing for coal-fired power plants and create a green screen for our foreign aid and investments.

Click for Tom Steyer on other issues.   Source: USA Today on 2019 Democratic primary

Andrew Yang on Global Warming: (Technology Oct 15, 2019)
Russian hacking of our elections is a hostile act

Q: Your response to Putin and Russia?

Andrew Yang: We have to let Russia know, "Look, we get it. We've tampered with other elections. You've tampered with our elections. And now it has to stop. And if it does not stop, we will take this as an act of hostility against the American people." I believe most Americans would support me on this. But Russian hacking of our democracy is an illustration of the 21st century threats: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, climate change, loose nuclear material, military drones and non-state actors. These are the threats that are going to require our administration to catch up in terms of technology. We all know we are decades behind the curve on technology. As Commander in Chief, I will help pull us forward, and that's going to be a huge responsibility of the next president.

Click for Andrew Yang on other issues.   Source: October Democratic CNN/NYTimes Primary debate

Joe Walsh on Global Warming: (Energy & Oil Sep 24, 2019)
Past: climate science not definitive; now: it's a problem