Climate activists see this election as having dire consequences for the planet, marking a starkly contrasting choice between Harris, who they believe could implement significant policies to mitigate climate change, and former President Trump, who has repeatedly minimized the issue and pledged to repeal a number of climate measures.
Harris’s campaign has toed a fine line on climate change, noting its commitment to combating the global crisis while also distancing itself from more progressive stances, such as her previous support for a fracking ban when she ran in the Democratic primary last cycle.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a member of the progressive caucus and a surrogate for the Harris campaign, spoke during a Monday strategy session about how to appeal to voters who may feel Harris falls short on climate.
- “If Donald Trump wins, none of us are going to be at the table. None of us are going to have any voice at all on Middle East policy or on climate policy,” Khanna said. “With the vice president, we’re going to be in the room, and that is the fundamental difference for people who have views that go beyond where the vice president is.”
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Khanna has said he’s been visiting college campuses, and will continue to do so in places such as Georgia, which, like Michigan, is among the group of tightly contested swing states that could determine the outcome of the election.
Other movement leaders also detailed their planned efforts in the days ahead.
Activist Saad Amer said he was invited to speak during a Billie Eilish concert in Atlanta. The 22-year-old pop star is particularly popular with young people.
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“She’s putting together this whole effort around climate at her concert where she brings tens of thousands of people,” Amer said.
A group called Climate Power is also utilizing celebrities.
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The group’s “Too Hot Not to Vote” campaign has already featured stars including Bill Nye, and this week it is working with college athletes in Michigan and Pennsylvania, said Heather Hargreaves, Climate Power’s deputy executive director for campaigns.
Read more at TheHill.com.
