As the southeastern United States grapples with the aftermath of two devastating hurricanes fueled by climate change, environmental advocates are calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to present a robust climate action plan. The recent hurricanes, named Helene and Milton, have intensified scrutiny of Harris's climate policies and her criticisms of former President Donald Trump's environmental record.
In a newly released campaign ad, Harris highlights Trump’s history of climate misinformation and his controversial decision to alter a hurricane's projected path using a marker. While she has condemned Trump's plans to reduce environmental regulations, her own climate strategy remains vague. Notably, Harris recently assured Michigan voters that she would not ban gas-powered cars and promoted what she described as "record energy production" from the oil and gas sectors during her time in office. The Harris campaign did not provide a comment when approached for clarification.
Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island expressed concern that Harris has not built on her strongest points from a recent debate with Trump, where she addressed the financial burdens of climate-related disasters. He emphasized the need for the American public to understand the serious implications of climate change, stating, “The American public needs to know there are storm clouds ahead.” Whitehouse, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, pointed out that many citizens are unaware of the growing threats posed by climate change.
The lack of a strong climate focus in Harris's campaign has frustrated some advocates, who argue that it reflects a political calculation aimed at avoiding conflicts with Trump’s position. Paul Bledsoe, a former climate advisor to President Bill Clinton, suggested this might be a strategic move, although others believe it could backfire electorally. Polls indicate that while voters prioritize issues like the economy and immigration, a significant majority still prefer candidates who advocate for climate action, with broad support for renewable energy even in regions reliant on fossil fuels.
Edward Maibach, director of George Mason University’s Center for Climate Change Communication, noted that taking a firm stance on climate issues may not alienate voters in critical states like Pennsylvania, where a majority favor increased climate action. Additionally, many national climate policies enjoy majority support among voters.
Despite concerns about her approach, some allies of Harris, such as Washington Governor Jay Inslee, remain optimistic. Inslee argued that the campaign's focus is on winning the election and suggested that Harris will push for strong climate action once in office.
However, Collin Rees, campaign manager at Oil Change US, warned that the absence of clear climate policies could alienate undecided voters. “It’s actively electorally harming her to not be more detailed,” he said. Rees also criticized Harris for attempting to appeal to conservatives, noting her recent pledges to form a bipartisan advisory council and her endorsements from former Republican officials. He argued that courting those who do not prioritize climate action undermines the urgency of the climate crisis.
The youth-led Sunrise Movement, which has endorsed Harris, is urging her to recalibrate her climate messaging, asserting that strong climate action was pivotal to Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. "In the last 20 days, we’re giving everything we’ve got to contact millions of people and turn out young voters to elect Harris," said Stevie O'Hanlon, the group's communication director. “What we’re asking is that the Harris campaign help us do that.”
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