(Washington D.C.) This week, Democratic contender for the 2020 Presidency, Beto O’Rourke, announced a $5 trillion proposal to tackle climate change and signed the “No Fossil Money” pledge stating he would not accept campaign contributions of more than $200 from fossil fuel company executives. Two weeks ago, Elizabeth Warren proposed a broad plan to protect public lands and promised to pass an executive order that would prohibit new leases for fossil fuel drilling offshore and on public lands. Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, Jay Inslee, and several other candidates are among those supporting a vision for the Green New Deal. As Democratic candidates climate plans and commitments roll in, a CNN poll found that 82 percent of registered voters who identified as Democrat listed climate change as a top priority issue that a presidential candidate should focus on.
May Boeve, executive director of 350 Action, made the following statement:
“Democratic candidates for the 2020 Presidency are listening to us. The ambitious commitments we’re seeing, including from a moderate candidate, is a testament to the power and persistence of our movement. We’ve kept the pressure strong and consistent, bird dogging these candidates at every turn, and demanding that they pledge to reject campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry. We’ve insisted that they prioritize tackling the climate crisis by supporting a Green New Deal that phases out fossil fuels, creates millions of jobs, and transitions workers to a 100% renewable economy.
“As more plans from candidates are announced, we are analyzing them intently and keeping track on our 2020 Climate Test. We cannot afford to lose another 4 years to weak federal climate platforms or full climate denial. Voters are making clear that climate change is a top priority issue in this Presidential election, and we will support the boldest vision to transform our economy, and stop climate-wrecking fossil fuel projects. We look forward to seeing the candidates debate their climate plans, strengthen them, and help build a sustainable vision for our future.”
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Press Contact: Thanu Yakupitiyage, 350 Action Communications, [email protected]