President Trump and former Vice-President Joe Biden have stark differences on how America will care for the earth. In this post, I offer a brief summary of those differences. For greater detail to these topics please go to https://climate-xchange.org/2020/05/27/biden-vs-trump-where-the-2020-candidates-stand-on-climate-issues/.
Prioritizing Climate Policy
Trump: Since taking office Trump has actively reversed climate policies enacted by the Obama Administration. According to the New York Times, the Trump administration has completed rollbacks of 66 environmental regulations, and is in the process of rolling back 34 more.
Biden: In 1986, Biden introduced the first climate change bill in the U.S. Senate, eventually signed into law by President Reagan. He was a strong supporter of Obama’s Clean Power Plan and supporting the Paris Climate Agreement.
On Climate Science
Trump: In this week’s trip to Oregon to observe the impact of the wildfires Trump said in a press conference that he disbelieves the established science on global warming. “It will start getting cooler,” he said. “Just watch. I don’t think science actually knows.”
Biden: In announcing his environmental policy Biden said, “Climate change is a challenge that’s going to define our American future.” He has committed to nominating supporters of climate science to head the EPA.
On Renewable Energy
Trump: The administration has allowed wind farm incentives to sunset out of existence. The administration has also cut funding for clean energy development in the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable energy up to 87 %. He has proposed the ending of many electric vehicle tax credits.
Biden: Biden oversaw Obama’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, allocating $90 billion in loans, grants and credits for projects ranging from building better batteries to clean energy construction.
On Fossil Fuel Use
Trump: The Trump administration has promoted the increased use of oil, coal and gasoline. He has supported opening up multiple federal lands mining and drilling leases. in 2018, the administration greenlighted gas and oil drilling in federal waters in the Arctic, issuing permits to some companies for drilling in the area.
Biden: During the Obama administration, which Biden was part of, national fossil fuel production soared. Biden has refused to pledge an end to fossil fuels and considers national gas “a bridge” to a clean energy future.
On Global Climate Cooperation
Trump: Trump proudly stands by his decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement, stating the deal would undermine the strength of the American economy.
Biden: Biden pledges to “rally the world to address the existential climate crisis,” which includes rejoining the Paris Agreement. He also pledges to call on nations in the G20 Summit to end all loans to high carbon projects.
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