The Democratic Party has dedicated seven pages of its extensive 90-page platform for the 2024 elections to address climate policy. This document begins to illustrate the potential strategies Vice President Kamala Harris could implement concerning climate change should she be elected.
Harris became her party’s official nominee only in mid-July following President Biden’s withdrawal from the race. Despite her notable aspirations, Harris has yet to define a comprehensive climate plan, leaving the party platform as a primary point of reference for what a Harris Administration’s approach to climate policy might entail.
In her recent address at the Democratic National Convention, Harris covered various pressing topics, including the economy and immigration, but only briefly touched upon climate issues. She highlighted the importance of “the freedom to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live free from the pollution that fuels the climate crisis,” amidst her discussions on fundamental freedoms.
Stevie O’Hanlon from The Sunrise Movement noted Harris’ limited discourse on climate change was a significant missed opportunity, emphasizing the vital responsibility of a presidential candidate to address this critical issue.
Enhancing Initiatives from the Inflation Reduction Act
The 2024 Democratic platform aims to build upon the accomplishments of the Inflation Reduction Act, which addressed healthcare costs and initiated steps towards tackling climate change. Investments in renewable energy technologies—such as solar, offshore wind, and efficient electrical grids—are emphasized, focusing particularly on the communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.
The party forecasts that this “clean energy boom” could triple renewable energy output, reducing electricity rates by approximately 9% and gas prices by about 13% by 2030. As part of these developments, the Democrats plan to establish more jobs through executive actions and expand the American Climate Corps, which primes 20,000 young individuals for careers in clean energy and related sectors within the next decade.
Despite some successes reported—over 330,000 jobs attributed to the act—critics have dubbed it a “climate slush fund,” doubting its ability to meet the ambitious carbon emission reduction targets set by the Biden Administration. Recent evaluations, such as those from Princeton University, indicate the initiative will significantly aid in mitigating emissions but may ultimately fall short of the stated 2030 objectives.
The sluggish implementation of rebates for renewable energy installations has raised concerns. Many qualifying for these benefits are wealthier households, leading to criticisms about whether the benefits are genuinely extending to the middle class.
Targeting Net-Zero Emissions in Agriculture by 2050
Another noteworthy aspect of the platform is its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions in the agricultural sector by 2050, a proactive aim that would make the United States a leader in sustainable farming practices. Agriculture historically contributed about 10% to the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, and now counties strive to go greener.
Over 80,000 farms have begun adopting “climate-smart practices” with investments and guidance from the Agriculture Department. However, experts express skepticism about the feasibility of implementing necessary decarbonization strategies, which may be more actionable for larger corporations than for small farms due to financial constraints.
Decarbonizing Transit: A Vision for 2050
The Democratic platform sets forth a vision to eradicate carbon emissions from the transportation sector by 2050, as vehicles constitute one-third of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The administration has mandated a significant percentage of new vehicle sales be electric by 2032. Yet public consensus remains hesitant, known from polls indicating widespread unease about the practicalities and capabilities of electric vehicles (EVs).
The Biden Administration has encountered challenges in meeting its goal of installing 500,000 EV charging stations by 2030, with stagnation on the establishment of sufficient infrastructure widely acknowledged.
Increased Funding for Climate Agencies and Research
The Demcratic platform also outlines intentions to bolster funding for the Environmental Protection Agency and various critical scientific organizations such as NASA and NOAA to fortify America’s position as a global leader in clean energy innovation. Achieving this agenda would entail navigating the complexities of congressional approval, a task poised to remain contentious regardless of Democratic control.
Taking Action Against Big Oil
In its evident desire to counteract the sway of Big Oil, the platform promises an aggressive restructuring of funding, committing to diminishing the subsidies for oil and gas while addressing practices such as price gouging and enforcing stricter safeguards for Arctic drilling.
Even with these promises, federal policy has not drastically turned from fossil fuels, with reports indicating more swift job creation in oil than in clean energy under the current administration.
Reinforcing Infrastructure
Using infrastructure financing as a critical area of focus, Democrats assure the rollout of enhanced transportation frameworks to withstand the impacts of climate change. The significant expenditures on climate disasters, exceeding $28 billion to date in 2023, underscore the urgency for resilient infrastructure as mentioned through various federal guidelines and initiatives.
Championing Global Climate Leadership
The Democratic Party aspires to reinstate the United States’ leadership role in green initiatives globally, determined by ongoing commitments to reduce fossil fuel reliance. The signing of the Paris Agreement under President Obama exemplified this stance. The recent increased climate engagement signifies a collective recognition of America’s responsibilities amidst climate crises worldwide.
