Four of the largest environmental organizations in the country have announced their endorsement of President Biden’s re-election campaign, despite criticism from activists regarding his approval of various fossil fuel projects. These projects include a massive oil drilling plan in Alaska and a natural gas pipeline that stretches from West Virginia to Virginia.
The League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and NextGen America have chosen to put aside their concerns about these projects and the resulting emissions that contribute to climate change. This joint endorsement is significant, as it is one of the earliest endorsements by major environmental groups in a presidential race.
By endorsing President Biden over 16 months before the election, these organizations aim to remind Democratic voters of his significant climate accomplishments. These include enacting the largest climate legislation in U.S. history, which allocated at least $370 billion towards clean energy and electric vehicles. The Biden administration has also proposed strict pollution regulations for automobiles, trucks, and power plants to reduce the nation’s emissions to record lows.
Tiernan Sittenfeld, the senior vice president of government affairs for the League of Conservation Voters, stated that the Biden administration has done more to advance climate solutions than any previous administration. The joint endorsement was announced at the League’s annual dinner event, where President Biden highlighted his environmental record. Moreover, an additional endorsement from the A.F.L.-C.I.O. is expected to take place at a labor rally in Philadelphia.
While acknowledging that they do not agree with every decision made by the Biden administration, these environmental groups believe that overall, this administration has made considerable progress in addressing climate change. They intend to mobilize their members to support President Biden’s campaign through fundraising, phone banks, and participating in rallies, particularly in critical states.
During the 2020 campaign, President Biden proposed an ambitious climate agenda, promising to cut U.S. emissions roughly in half by the end of this decade. Young voters, who display significant concern about global warming, showed up in large numbers to vote. Half of eligible voters aged 18 to 29 cast their ballots, marking one of the highest youth turnout rates in decades.
The landmark climate law signed by President Biden last year is projected to reduce America’s carbon dioxide emissions by up to one billion tons by 2030. Furthermore, proposed regulations could eliminate as much as 15 billion tons of carbon dioxide by 2055.
However, President Biden’s promise to halt drilling on federal lands has faced criticism as he gave the go-ahead for the Willow drilling project in Alaska and mandated the sale of offshore drilling leases to pass the climate bill. Additionally, he agreed to expedite the construction of the $6.6 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline, despite opposition from environmental activists who have protested against it for nearly a decade.
For many young climate activists, these decisions represent a breaking point. They argue that endorsing President Biden as a climate champion while approving new fossil fuel projects is contradictory. Some activist groups, such as Climate Defiance, have protested events featuring Biden administration officials and other Democrats. They planned to protest outside the League of Conservation Voters dinner.
President Biden’s approval of oil and gas development has led to skepticism about his climate legacy among young voters. They believe that he must take stronger action against the fossil fuel industry in order to earn their support and votes.
NextGen America, an organization focused on engaging young voters, hopes to counter this dissent by endorsing President Biden early. They note that since his election, 17 million people have reached voting age. They plan to invest time and money in educating young people about the importance of their vote.
Former President Donald J. Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican field, has criticized President Biden’s climate policies, questioned climate science, and championed fossil fuel production. In order to secure re-election, Mr. Biden will need the support of young, climate-minded voters. It’s crucial for the Biden campaign to effectively communicate his climate achievements, as many young voters may not fully recognize the progress he has made in this area.
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