Kamala Harris' approach to climate change and energy has undergone a major shift during her presidential campaign. Harris, who was once a vocal advocate for holding oil companies accountable for their alleged role in climate change, has now shifted her focus to praising the Biden administration's record oil production. are. This stark contrast led critics to accuse her of political subversion. Even CNN published a rather refreshing article about her peculiar evolution. Here, we take a closer look at Harris' evolving positions on climate change and energy.
eco warrior
While running for president in 2019, Kamala Harris positioned herself as an ardent champion of climate change. At the time, she was a vocal critic of the fossil fuel industry, comparing Big Oil to Big Tobacco.
CNN found more than a dozen references to “prosecuting big oil” in Harris' 2020 campaign materials, ostensibly driven by the urgency of addressing climate change.
For example, Harris said that under her administration, oil companies could face criminal charges for contributing to climate change, calling their actions deceptive and harmful to the planet. Asked at a town hall in South Carolina if she supported investigating companies like Chevron and Shell for their “contribution to climate change,” Harris said:
“And just like the tobacco companies, years later, they knew the harm their products were causing because they had done the research. They were very profitable, so they So did these big oil companies, who kept it a secret. And they have to pay for it,” she said. “So the answer is yes.”
She even claimed to have sued ExxonMobil as California Attorney General.
As a presidential candidate, then-Senator Harris called for the elimination of the Senate filibuster in order to pass the radical Green New Deal. Harris said, as quoted by Fox News at the time.
If they (Republican senators) do not act, as President of the United States, I am prepared to lift the filibuster to pass the Green New Deal.
She promised to take executive action, stressing, “We will do whatever is necessary because this is about the health and safety of our country and the world.”
Harris saw the proposal to hollow out American industry by “transitioning” away from fossil fuels as a reasonable solution to the “existential threat” of climate change.
He also announced a $10 trillion climate change plan to transition the United States to clean energy and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
In a push for more drastic environmental action, Harris signed the infamous “NoKXL pledge” to “climate test” all future energy projects and halted controversial pipeline construction. I promised.
Additionally, Harris joined other progressives in advocating for bans on hydraulic fracturing and offshore drilling.
She also promoted niche environmental proposals, such as banning plastic straws.
As a senator, Harris worked with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York) on a proposal that would require federal agencies to assess the impact of climate change spending and policies on communities near industrial sites. went. This provision was later incorporated into the broader framework of the Suppression of Inflation Act 2022.
pivot
Harris' position began to change after she joined Joe Biden's running mate as a running mate in 2020. During the campaign, Harris shifted positions on several key climate issues, including fracking.
Since becoming vice president, Harris' advocacy for climate change has taken a backseat to the Biden administration's broader political goals. Notably, despite previous promises, Harris never pushed for the kind of full-scale prosecution of oil companies that she had previously supported. As CNN recalled, rather than the legal action Harris had proposed, the administration would instead fine companies like Marathon Oil and BP for specific violations, such as air pollution and methane emissions. asked to be imposed.
Harris's statements also softened. After Biden announced in August 2024 that he would not run for re-election, Harris' campaign quickly issued a statement, cited by CNN, saying he no longer supports the Green New Deal, which was once central to Harris' platform. said. She also withdrew her support for a ban on plastic straws and no longer advocates for a fundamental overhaul of U.S. energy policy, which she once supported.
2024: Energy independence
As Harris campaigns for president, she has largely distanced herself from her previous concerns about climate change. Instead, he emphasized record domestic oil production under the Biden administration.
Campaigning in Pennsylvania last month, she said: “We have achieved the largest increase in domestic oil production in history because of an approach that recognizes that we cannot be overly dependent on foreign oil.”
CNN responded to the statement in an unusually critical manner, saying:
The U.S. energy industry currently produces more oil than any other country in history, but energy advocates say the surge is due to market forces rather than Biden's policies.
Asked what she would do to “fight climate change” during a debate with former President Donald Trump in September, Harris said she would “increase domestic gas production to historic highs” and support domestic manufacturing. Ta.
While Harris' campaign continues to claim she is committed to tackling climate change, her focus on oil production suggests a “pragmatic” shift. Harris campaign spokeswoman Mia Ehrenberg told CNN:
As president, Kamala Harris will realistically address the threat of climate change and ensure that America does not lose its future clean energy economy and industry.
He added that he was “proud” that Harris cast the tie-breaking vote on “the largest climate change package in American history,” referring to the Inflation Control Act of 2022. The law allocates significant funds to reduce carbon emissions and promote “clean” energy. Technology and addressing environmental justice issues. This is an important step toward the Biden administration's goal of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030.
Climate issues in the 2024 election
Climate change remains a relatively low priority for voters in the 2024 election. Voters rank this issue among the least important, according to a recent Gallup poll. This may explain why Harris' campaign has focused so much on domestic energy production and economic issues, and has largely neglected climate change policy.
Harris' reversal comes as no surprise to those who approach climate change dispassionately as a tool to further deindustrialize America. After all, the goal has always been to increase control over industry and human activity, rather than truly addressing environmental problems. Her shift from previous climate change statements should be seen as a calculated political move to secure votes rather than a reflection of deeply held beliefs.
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