By Greg Gorman • ggorman@embargmail.com
The Sierra Club, in conjunction with three other leading environmental, clean energy and climate organizations (League of Conservation Voters [LCV] Action Fund, the NRDC Action Fund, and Clean Energy for American Action [CE4A Action]), has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. This is the first time these four groups have ever jointly announced a presidential endorsement.
This endorsement was not surprising, and it is not surprising that the Sierra Club still supports the Democratic campaign and Harris’ candidacy for president. Former President Donald Trump repeatedly denounced climate change as a “hoax” while reversing, revoking or rolling back more than 100 environmental rules and actions established by the Obama administration. This will continue if Trump wins reelection. The 2024 Republican Party platform proclaims, “We will DRILL, BABY, DRILL,” cancel electric vehicle mandates, and terminate the Green New Deal.
The hardline Republican position regarding the climate crisis is inconsistent with American attitudes in general. A 2024 poll conducted by Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago with the Associated Press–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about half of Americans agree that taking steps to reduce emissions; expand clean energy; and protect our air, water, land, and wildlife are important priorities for the next president. About three-quarters of Democrats support these policy goals, and younger Republicans are closer to Democrats on the issue of supporting fossil fuel development than their older Republican counterparts. Younger Republicans are also more supportive of clean energy expansion than older Republicans (37% vs 28%). The EPIC/AP-NORC poll results clearly indicate that the draconian Republican position of “no climate action” is just plain wrong.
On the contrary, an ambitious climate policy is the right thing to do and is quite popular. Helped along by Inflation Reduction Act funding, “Scores of companies have announced 585 new clean energy projects totaling $361 billion in investments across 47 states and Puerto Rico between August 2022 and May 2024, creating 312,900 new jobs” Forbes reported in July 2024. The challenges of domestically sourcing rare minerals are being addressed with discoveries in Wyoming and California. Technology challenges are being addressed for lower emissions cement manufacturing, thermal batteries for industry, next-generation EV-batteries, and high tech solutions for building insulation.
It is important to address the climate crisis to avoid more of the price increases we have seen lately for auto/home insurance and food prices, which are affected by severe storms, droughts, and wildfires. Likewise, stabilization of regional environments can help prevent mass migrations and displacement of families.
The more economic damage that is caused by climate change, the more likely it is that people will respond. Research indicates that although health, environment, and experiences with severe weather events may influence individual climate action, cost savings is still the primary motivation for adopting clean energy and energy efficiency.
This year, vote for candidates who support bold climate action.