Climate change: The biggest policy gap between Biden and Trump

Former President Donald Trump is making headlines once again for his attempts to overturn President Joe Biden’s climate policy. According to The Washington Post, Trump asked oil executives to raise $1 billion for his campaign so he could prevent Biden from pushing the US towards clean energy and electric vehicles. Despite the shocking nature of this pitch, it aligns with Trump’s views on climate change, which he has dismissed as a hoax. Climate change is a real issue, as evidenced by rising ocean temperatures and environmental disasters like the mass deaths of fish in Vietnam.

In a recent interview, CNN climate reporter Ella Nilsen discussed Trump’s plans for a potential second term and Biden’s track record on climate change. Trump has promised to undo many of Biden’s actions aimed at reducing planet-warming pollution from vehicles, power plants, and the oil and gas industry. Trump’s focus would be on boosting fossil fuels and oil and gas drilling. Despite their differences in rhetoric, the US remains the world’s top oil producer under Biden, causing mixed reactions among climate activists.

Biden’s administration has seen some success in advancing climate policies, such as passing ambitious legislation and implementing regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the decision to greenlight a major oil drilling project in Alaska has drawn criticism from youth climate groups. While some funding from the Inflation Reduction Act has gone to red states like Texas for clean energy investments, swing states like Michigan, Arizona, and Georgia have also benefited. This shift towards cleaner energy sources is essential in addressing climate change and reducing emissions from the transportation sector.

Transitioning to electric vehicles plays a significant role in combating climate change, given that transportation emissions are a major contributor to greenhouse gas pollution in the US. Despite Trump’s false claims about Biden wanting to ban gas-powered vehicles, the shift towards EVs is crucial for a cleaner future. States like California and Washington have been leading the way in adopting more climate-focused energy policies, which will continue regardless of who wins the presidency. However, federal government support is necessary to accelerate progress and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Moving forward, passing major climate legislation in Congress will be crucial for a comprehensive national energy policy. Lawmakers view the Inflation Reduction Act as a starting point and are considering additional measures like a carbon tax or carbon tariffs on polluting products. The upcoming expiration of the 2017 Trump tax cuts provides an opportunity for Congress to address climate-related issues through new legislation. The direction of future climate policies will depend on the party in power and the actions taken by the White House, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan collaboration to address climate change effectively.