Public Health on the Ballot: Climate
A look at where the presidential candidates stand on issues surrounding climate, past and present.
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The science is clear: global temperatures are rising, and climate change caused by human activity poses a direct threat to the health of the public. From the physical environment in which we live, work, and play, to the food we eat and the air we breathe, nearly all that is vital for human life is threatened by climate change. Rising temperatures also lead to a host of other health concerns, including more frequent extreme weather events, the spread of pests and disease, and worsening existing health problems for individuals, including asthma and mental health conditions. While the issue of climate change is dire, there is hope: the actions we take today at the local, state, national, and global levels can mitigate the consequences of tomorrow.
The following chart breaks down prominent climate policies the Trump-Pence and Biden-Harris administrations put in place while in office, as well as what the Trump-Vance and Harris-Walz administrations plan to do if elected in November.
Past Administrations
Biden-Harris (2021-2025)
- Paris Agreement: Positioned the United States to rejoin the Paris Agreement.
- Climate Action/Environmental Justice: Passed the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in clean energy and climate action in history.
- Signed an executive order to strengthen federal engagements with communities, and launched a new Office of Environmental Justice.
- Energy, Gas, Oil, Fossil Fuels: Set goal to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030, which has led to:
- New investments in clean energy manufacturing, electric vehicles/ batteries, and clean power, leading to an increase in clean energy jobs across every state.
- Tax credits for those who purchase electric vehicles and new investments in electric vehicle infrastructure.
Trump-Pence (2017-2021)
- Paris Agreement: Withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, making the United States the only country to withdraw in history.
- Climate Action/Environmental Justice: Rolled back more than 100 environmental and climate-related regulations to protect air, water, land, endangered species, and human health, with the aim being to prioritize American jobs above addressing matters of climate change.
- Energy, Gas, Oil, Fossil Fuels: Promoted regulatory actions in support of the production and use of fossil fuels, including lifting bans on oil and gas exploration on protected lands.
- “Rebranded” fossil fuels as “molecules of U.S. freedom.”
Future Administrations
Harris-Walz
- Paris Agreement: Harris has said the agreement is crucial to address climate change and “protect our children’s future.”
- Climate Action: Harris cast the tie-breaking vote for the Inflation Reduction Act and is expected to continue to protect the climate policies of the Biden administration.
- Environmental Justice: The democratic party plans to continue to implement Biden’s executive order on Environmental Justice for All.
- Energy, Gas, Oil, Fossil Fuels:
- In 2019, Harris pushed for a ban on fracking; however, she now does not support such a ban.
- As senator, Harris was an original co-sponsor for the Green New Deal.
- As governor, Walz signed a bill to move Minnesota to 100% clean energy by 2040.
Trump-Vance
- Paris Agreement: Trump plans to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, again.
- Climate Action: Trump and Vance vow to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, calling the act “dumb” and “meaningless green new scam ideas.”
- Environmental Justice: Plan to restructure the Environmental Protection Agency, including cutting grant funding to community justice initiatives, slashing the agency’s budget, and eliminating employees.
- Energy, Gas, Oil, Fossil Fuels: Trump has stated that on “day one” he will expand oil and gas production across the country.
- Vance once fiercely opposed the fossil fuel industry and was an investor in green technologies, but now denies the human causes of climate change.
