Vice President Kamala Harris has consistently prioritized environmental issues, from her tenure as California’s attorney general to her role in passing the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in U.S. history. As she campaigns for the presidency, Harris is expected to emphasize protecting these climate gains, a stance likely to resonate with voters amid increasing climate concerns. A Pew Research Center survey from May indicated that 65% of Americans support focusing on renewable energy sources over fossil fuels.
Harris’ commitment to climate action was evident during her visit to the United Nations global climate summit in Dubai, where she highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change. This stance contrasts sharply with former President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, a move he has suggested he would repeat if re-elected. The Inflation Reduction Act, which Harris helped pass, aims to significantly reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels by investing over $370 billion in renewable energy and electric vehicles over ten years.
Republican leaders have pledged to reverse the Inflation Reduction Act if they regain control of Congress and the White House. Harris, however, plans to continue advocating for clean energy, as indicated by her climate adviser, Ike Irby. Throughout her career, Harris has supported measures to reduce greenhouse gases, such as electrifying school buses, and has been active in international climate diplomacy. As a senator, she co-sponsored the Green New Deal, though the measure did not advance. Environmental groups like Evergreen Action have endorsed her, reflecting her strong stance on climate issues.
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