During the recent presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the topic of climate change received only a brief mention. While Biden highlighted his administration’s efforts to promote clean energy and combat climate change, Trump went on a confusing tangent about “H2O” and falsely claimed to have achieved the best environmental numbers ever during his presidency.
Biden specifically mentioned the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which included significant funding for clean energy initiatives and climate programs. He also emphasized the importance of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. These policies, combined with existing measures, are projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 42 percent by 2030.
In contrast, analysts predict that a second Trump term could lead to a significant increase in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and result in substantial climate damages globally. Rolling back key climate policies could make it nearly impossible for the U.S. to meet its 2030 climate targets.
Trump’s dismissive attitude towards climate change was evident during the debate, as he referred to Biden’s climate policies as a “scam” and emphasized the importance of oil and gas extraction for economic growth. His inconsistent statements on climate change, ranging from calling it a hoax to downplaying its severity, reflect a lack of clear policy direction on the issue.
Despite the critical importance of addressing climate change, the limited and superficial discussion during the debate left many climate experts and observers disappointed. The brevity of the climate segment, compared to other topics like immigration and the economy, underscored the lack of priority given to this pressing issue.
Moving forward, voters will need to consider the stark contrast between Biden’s climate record and Trump’s falsehoods when evaluating the candidates’ positions on environmental policy. The outcome of the election could have far-reaching implications for the future of climate action in the U.S. and globally. It is crucial for voters to be informed and engaged on this critical issue as they make their decision at the ballot box.
