Washington, DC — The Vice Presidential debate took place tonight in Salt Lake City, Utah. Vice presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Mike Pence were asked about the COVID-19 pandemic, health care, police violence the economy, the Supreme Court, and the climate crisis. The candidates debated the role of science, the Green New Deal, and the energy sector at length, further testament to the influence of the climate movement in setting the terms of the debate. A recent poll shows that two thirds of Americans strongly favor climate action, showing that climate change is a winning issue.
350 Action North America Director Tamara Toles O’Laughlin made the following statement:
“In the last two debates, we’ve seen Trump and Pence attack visionary policies like the Green New Deal to distract from the fact that they have absolutely no plan to tackle one of the greatest existential crises of our time. Tonight, Pence’s attempts to dismiss the Green New Deal failed again and again. Pence overstepped to take up more airtime, which ended up reinforcing the power of the popular and collective vision to rebuild crumbling infrastructure, prioritize millions of jobs in renewable sectors, phase out toxic fossil fuels, and protect people and the planet. The joke is on him.
“We were glad to hear Kamala Harris call for a vision of the future rooted in science, and plan to get to net zero emissions by 2050. However, we still have a ways to go to hold Biden and Harris accountable to a bold climate action that is steadfast in its commitment to phasing off fossil fuels and halting the bad business of fracking. We urge the Biden-Harris ticket to stop wavering on real climate solutions and own their support for the Green New Deal.
“Kamala Harris was the clear winner of tonight’s debate, proving herself to be an expert on the issues, never faltering through Pence’s attacks. 350 Action’s endorsement of Biden and Harris is an unflinching commitment to hold them to their promises and push them for boldness and real climate ambition. With 26 days to election season, we call on all people of good conscience to vote, whether by mail, early voting, or showing up on election day to cast their ballot in the name of our democracy and a livable future. We will not stand for four more years of gaslighting, turmoil, and attacks on our lives and fundamental rights.”
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For more on 350 Action’s Biden-Harris endorsement, visit: https://350action.org/press-release/biden-harris-presidential-endorsement/
Press Contact: Thanu Yakupitiyage, [email protected]