By: Tracey MacDermott
NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee  Chair (2024-2026) 

Tale of Two Parties 

What the GOP And The Dems Say — And Don’t Say — About The Climate Crisis 

By Tracey MacDermott 

This opinion piece was originally published in The Greater Park Hill News, where the author is a monthly columnist.  Previous columns can be found here: http://greaterparkhill.org/?s=tracey+macdermott 

We are in the final push of election season and climate change is on our minds. Last month we reviewed the two  presidential candidates and their positions on climate. This month let’s explore the major parties’ platforms when it  comes to climate change. 

Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s playbook for a Republican administration, calls to dismantle clean energy  programs and continue to uplift the oil and gas companies. Is this also the position of the GOP platform? Republicans  at their national convention certainly pushed for more drilling, while remaining silent on climate change — seemingly in alignment with Project 2025.  

The GOP’s website (gop.com) lists six action items such as volunteering, “swamping” the vote and election integrity.  Glaringly absent are mentions of other issues on many voters’ minds — including global warming.  

Not all Republicans are ignoring the growing and urgent crisis. House members such as John Curtis of Utah and  Colorado’s Doug Lamborn (who is not seeking reelection) are part of the Conservative Climate Caucus (CCC). The  CCC’s webpage concurs that the climate is changing, and points a finger at China while pushing for innovation  through the free market.  

As this year will go down as the hottest on record, why isn’t the CCC pushing for innovative climate policy versus  “fighting against radical progressive climate proposals”? Might we be in our current mess because we have let the  free market control our energy sources and pollute the planet? 

The Sunrise Movement, a progressive youth-led organization, released a statement after the GOP convention: “Make  no mistake. Just because Republicans don't want to talk about their climate plans to voters, doesn ’t mean that their  radical, anti-climate agenda that empowers oil and gas billionaires to destroy our planet won’t be a top priority for  a second Trump administration. Another Trump presidency would cause catastrophic and irreversible damage to  our climate." 

By contrast, after President Biden passed the torch to Kamala Harris, the Sunrise Movement sent a letter to Harris  requesting the backing of the Green New Deal, affordable housing, prioritizing gun violence and other critical social  programs. Harris addressed many of these concerns during her speech at the Democratic National Convention. 

Some have criticized the Democrats for a lack of highlighting the climate crisis in its party platform. However,  consider the actions the Biden administration has taken on climate.  

Much like the Affordable Care Act, which insured more than 45 million people, the Inflation Reduction Act is the  biggest climate bill ever crafted, and indeed, championed by Democratic leadership. The final vote in the Senate was  51-50 — with all 50 Democrats in favor and all 50 Republicans voting no. Vice President Harris broke the tie, securing  victory for the planet.  

The Democratic National Committee ’s webpage includes a long list of concerns, from reproductive rights to voting  rights, LGBTQ+, growing the middle class, and yes climate change.  

The DNC also continues to speak out against environmental injustices inflicted in marginalized communities. This  is an injustice we must not look away from.  

Their website notes, “…we will work with affected frontline communities to develop a screening and mapping tool  to ensure racial and socioeconomic equity in federal climate, energy, and infrastructure programs and identify areas  of high cumulative pollution that threatens residents ’health and safety.” 

The DNC climate platform addresses our national parks and monuments, worker safety, air and water, threats to  farmers, and of course, the climate urgency we face. “…We believe the scientists: the window for unprecedented  and necessary action is closing and closing fast.”  

Yes, the window is closing and we as citizens of this planet cannot let it shut. The complete DNC’s statement on  climate change can be read at the link:  

democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/combating-the-climate-crisis-and-pursuing-environmental justice/ 

Please, check out both of the parties’ platforms, review their climate positions — and vote.