FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 4, 2019

Washington D.C. – Since Sunday morning, Senators Warren, Booker, Klobuchar, and Harris, along with Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Julián Castro have all released climate plans, Each candidate’s plan showcases the major progress that has been made to elevate climate change as a critical electoral issue. Entirely new baselines have been set for what it means to lead on climate, with the majority of candidates opposing oil and gas leasing on public lands, committing to 100% renewable energy targets, ending fossil fuel subsidies, and supporting workers during the transition. In total, the 2020 climate plans build on a decade of work to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable , secure a just and equitable transition for workers and impacted communities, and address the urgency of the climate crisis.

Currently leading the pack with the strongest, most ambitious, climate plans are Senator Sanders, Senator Booker, Senator Warren, and Senator Castro. 

350 Action’s Director Tamara Toles O’ Laughlin said, in response to the plan: 

“What is clear in every climate plan introduced over the last week by a Presidential candidate is that the climate movement has been persuasive. We are excited to see candidates tackling the most urgent climate solutions, and adding new and bold ideas to the public dialogue. As Hurricane Dorian devastates communities in the Bahamas, and along the coastal U.S., driven directly by climate change, the current administration remains idle. Our next President must tackle the climate crisis with the empathy and vision required to support climate-impacted communities.

“Elizabeth Warren’s worker-centered climate plan sets the stage for a just transition during her administration, and reaches across movements to advance climate justice as an overarching issue. Following Governor Inslee’s original climate plan, Senator Warren is close to Senator Sanders in meeting gold-standards for climate leadership. Harris’ plan has a strong environmental justice lens and important focus on holding polluters accountable, however her plan’s timeline for reducing emissions is slower than that of Sanders, Warren, and Booker. Booker and Castro also rise to the top, with robust plans that center communities at the frontlines of pollution and climate change. We are excited to see the Castro plan merge diplomacy with climate action by creating a new refugee category for ‘Climate Refugees.’ The Castro plan is unique in this, and models a way for candidates who want to support frontline, low-income, migrant, and indigenous communities during climate change. 

“The strength of each climate plan lies in the details. As of now, Senator Sanders is the only one prepared to stop the fossil fuel industry. No other candidate will ban fracking everywhere, and halt all new fossil fuel infrastructure. To meet the true standard for climate leadership, we expect all 2020 Presidential candidates to step up and hold fossil fuel billionaire accountable, while prioritizing communities of color, low income communities, and workers more impacted by the crisis. In today’s town hall, we’ll be looking for how each candidate distinguishes themselves from the pack in their pursuit of a just and equitable climate plan that reflects the scale of the crisis.”

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Press Contact: Monica Mohapatra, U.S. Communications Specialist, [email protected]