As Trump and Harris Vie for Fossil Fuel Supporters, the Climate Is Losing

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, climate change has emerged as a defining issue. During his 2020 campaign, President Joe Biden called climate change the "number one issue facing humanity" and pledged to put the U.S. on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050. However, emissions actually rose during the first two years of Biden's presidency, putting the U.S. off track to meet its climate goals. Vice President Kamala Harris's stance on climate issues has come under scrutiny as she readies a potential presidential run. As California's attorney general, Harris pursued some high-profile environmental prosecutions, but her record has been criticized by activists who say she focused on small violators while letting major polluters off the hook. Since becoming vice president, Harris has continued to champion climate action, though she has also shifted away from some of her more progressive positions, like a ban on fracking. The political realities of the 2024 election loom large, as Harris may need to appeal to swing state voters in places like Pennsylvania and Michigan, major fossil fuel and manufacturing hubs. This dynamic reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party, as the prospect of passing sweeping climate legislation has become more remote. The ultimate shape of the 2024 electoral map may determine whether addressing climate change remains a top priority for Democrats going forward.