Have you noticed the seasons changing more quickly lately? The climate crisis is now a real concern for us all. Vice President Kamala Harris is stepping up to lead America towards a sustainable future.
Harris’s climate plan aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 20501. Her goal is to make the US economy carbon-neutral by 2045.
Her plan focuses on community-led climate action. It includes investing $20 billion in climate and clean energy projects across America. This will help environmental justice and create jobs in clean energy2. Most Americans, 65%, support using more renewable energy over fossil fuels.
Harris’s climate plan gives us hope for a greener, fairer future. It’s a plan that tackles the climate crisis and helps communities left out of the clean energy shift.
The Urgent Need for Climate Action
The climate crisis needs our immediate focus. You’ve likely seen more extreme weather in the U.S. lately. Over the past two years, over 100 million Americans faced the effects of these events3. This shows we must cut emissions and follow the Paris Climate Agreement.
Recent Climate Impacts Across the U.S.
Americans are facing climate change’s effects from coast to coast. Droughts, floods, and rising sea levels are happening more often. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is starting a $575 million project to help coastal and Great Lakes communities3. This shows we’re taking action against climate challenges.
Harris's Perspective on the Climate Crisis
Vice President Kamala Harris strongly supports climate action. As California Attorney General, she got over $50 million from Big Oil and investigated Exxon Mobil’s climate crisis lies4. She’s committed to environmental justice, backing fracking bans and ending Big Oil subsidies.
Setting Ambitious Climate Goals
The Harris climate plan matches the Paris Climate Agreement’s goals. The Inflation Reduction Act, supported by Harris, aims to cut climate pollution in half by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 20504. With the Biden administration back in the Paris Agreement, we’re focusing on fighting the climate crisis5.
“The clock is not only ticking, it is banging,” Harris stresses, underlining the urgency of acting on climate.
With over 300,000 clean energy jobs created in the U.S., the move towards a greener future is growing4. The climate crisis demands bold action, and the Harris plan is ready to tackle it.
Kamala Harris's Climate Leadership Journey
Kamala Harris has always stood up for climate action in her career. She went from being California’s Attorney General to Vice President. This shows her deep commitment to fighting for environmental justice and moving to clean energy.
Early Environmental Advocacy as California AG
As California’s Attorney General, Harris took strong steps against climate change. She went after big oil companies like BP and ConocoPhillips in court. This showed she was ready to make companies pay for their harm to the environment.
Senate Sponsorship of the Green New Deal
In the Senate, Harris kept pushing for climate action by backing the Green New Deal. This plan aimed to fight climate change, create jobs, and help the economy. Her support for the Green New Deal showed she cared about fixing environmental justice issues.
Vice Presidential Role in Climate Legislation
As Vice President, Harris has been key in pushing for climate laws. She voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, a big win for the environment. This law aims to cut down on greenhouse gases. It also puts $20 billion into community climate projects, with $12 billion for communities often left out6.
Groups fighting for the environment praise Harris for her climate work. Her actions are timely, given that 2023 was the hottest year ever, and 2024 is following suit7. By pushing for clean energy and cutting emissions, Harris is working towards a better future for everyone in the U.S.
Key Components of the Kamala Harris Climate Plan
Kamala Harris’s climate plan is all about community-led solutions and clean energy. It aims to speed up the shift to a greener future. This will create jobs and cut down on pollution.
A key part of the plan is a $20 billion investment in climate and clean energy projects. This money will improve energy efficiency in affordable homes and help small businesses switch to electric delivery fleets. Houses of worship can get loans to put in solar panels, encouraging more communities to use renewable energy.
“We’re investing in America’s future by empowering local communities to take climate action.”
Harris’s plan brings together public and private groups to meet climate challenges. This mix has already created over 330,000 jobs through the Inflation Reduction Act8. It also backs the goal of installing 500,000 electric vehicle chargers by 2030, helping to grow clean transportation.
By focusing on community action and making energy use more efficient, the Harris plan can make a big difference. It fits well with the U.S. climate strategy, which includes $50 billion for extreme weather protection and a push for global climate leadership8.
Investing in Community-Based Climate Solutions
The Kamala Harris climate plan focuses on community-based solutions. It highlights the need for environmental justice and climate equity. This plan aims to make a clean energy economy that helps all Americans.
$20 Billion for Climate and Clean Energy Projects
The plan invests heavily in climate and clean energy projects nationwide. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given out $20 billion in grants. This money comes from the Inflation Reduction Act91011. It will fund tens of thousands of projects, making it the biggest investment in green banks globally10.
Empowering Local Communities and Nonprofits
The plan helps local communities and nonprofits lead the shift to clean energy. Eight nonprofits have been chosen to create a financing network. This ensures the investment’s benefits spread across the country11. These groups are known for helping people, businesses, and groups get funds for climate and clean energy projects9.
Focus on Historically Underserved Areas
The plan is dedicated to fixing past climate investment injustices. More than $14 billion, or at least 70% of the funds, will go to low-income and disadvantaged communities91011. This includes money for rural and Tribal areas, making sure the clean energy shift helps those often left out9. The goal is to create jobs, better public health, and lower energy costs for families in need.
Source Links
- Kamala Harris unveils $10 trillion climate plan | CNN Politics – https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/04/politics/kamala-harris-climate-plan/index.html
- Here’s Where Kamala Harris Stands on Climate – https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/22/climate/kamala-harris-climate-environment.html
- FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Makes Historic Investments to Build Community Climate Resilience | The White House – https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/19/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-makes-historic-investments-to-build-community-climate-resilience/
- Vice President Kamala Harris Is A Climate Champion | Climate Power – https://climatepower.us/research-polling/vice-president-kamala-harris-is-a-climate-champion/
- Where does Kamala Harris stand on climate change? – https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/08/30/kamala-harris-vs-climate-where-she-stands-on-the-green-new-deal-fossil-fuels-and-pollution
- Remarks by Vice President Harris on Combatting Climate Change and Building a Clean Energy Economy | The White House – https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/07/14/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-on-combatting-climate-change-and-building-a-clean-energy-economy/
- Here’s where Kamala Harris stands on climate and energy | CNN – https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/23/climate/kamala-harris-on-climate-energy/index.html
- Harris has yet to outline her plan for climate change. Here’s what the Democratic Party platform says. – https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-party-platform-climate-environment/
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $20 Billion in Grants to Mobilize Private Capital and Deliver Clean Energy and Climate Solutions to Communities Across America | US EPA – https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-20-billion-grants-mobilize-private-capital-and-0
- WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Historic $20 Billion in Awards to Expand Access to Clean Energy and Climate Solutions and Lower Energy Costs for Communities Across the Nation | The White House – https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/04/05/what-they-are-saying-biden-harris-administration-announces-historic-20-billion-in-awards-to-expand-access-to-clean-energy-and-climate-solutions-and-lower-energy-costs-for-communities-across-the-nati/
- In Charlotte, Harris announces $20 billion in funding for climate, clean energy • NC Newsline – https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/in-charlotte-harris-announces-20-billion-in-funding-for-climate-clean-energy/