The 2024 Election’s Feverish Impact

As the unpredictable realm of election day grows closer, I can’t help but wonder how awesome it would be if climate change was the number one political topic for all local, state and federal candidates. But then again, if that were to be the case, our nation would be in a far greater world of extreme climate hurt. Thankfully, the fossil fuel driven planet damage is still at a point where there’s time left to turn the crisis around. . .but not time enough if measured in decades. The result of this presidential election will be pivotal - either favorably or unfavorably for Earth’s rising fever.

First, know that I am an independent voter because I disavow any and all efforts to make the status of our biosphere a political dodgeball. And I, like you, have many friends and family that are either Republicans or Democrats, and those close to me are dear to my heart, regardless of which party they support. How they feel about the different candidates is their business and I respect that - part of living in the land of the free. 

Unfortunately, because of the upcoming contest on November 5, as well as in recent elections, their climate interests and mine differ. But that’s OK. . .well, no it’s not. . .when it comes to global warming behavior. As an environmental advocate, I believe this voting season is all about which candidate will do the most to reverse Earth’s rising temperature, and make it well again. Most folks I am endeared to believe other platform issues such as border migration, inflation and abortion rights outweigh Earth’s health status. And yes, those immediate topics are incredibly vital. Yet, without climate correction, one day those and various other societal concerns will lag far behind the scary brown sky overhead.

Thus, I and many others feel whomever is elected president this fall will have a profound influence on how humanity regulates the use of fossil fuels in the narrowing window of time that remains. The 2024 presidential candidates directly oppose each other in this regard. Remember, this blog has nothing to do with any policy issue other than climate action. Other particulars about each candidate’s track record are intentionally deleted from this post.

The noticeable absence of climate discussion also pertains to the many other candidates running for 468 congressional seats, 11 governor positions, 7 secretary of state chairs, and 10 attorney general offices. There are also 164 other state executive seats to be filled, such as superintendents of schools and public service commissioners. From the vast majority of these people, we have heard a near nothing about their attitude towards our warming planet. Therefore, before you vote, please look into the background of your state contestants and determine if they are “environment friendly.” 

Sadly, many Americans are conflicted along partisan lines on whether or not humans cause climate change and the resulting extreme weather. Facts: Democrats lead Republicans by a considerable margin with respect for the science that supports human caused global warming and the eventual hardships of the future. A far majority of Republicans remain steadfast in their climate skepticism, while approximately 85% of Democrats accept the Earth warming link between fossil fuel gasses and the greenhouse effect. Regardless, both parties share a democracy that allows every American the right to vote based on their beliefs - that’s what we’re all about - isn’t it?

It’s a shame that for decades our House and Senate have not met eye to eye regarding the regulation of emissions. Here are some examples that stalled rules governing chemical pollutants:

In 1992, the president proposed a petroleum tax on energy production which passed the House. The Republican-led Senate never addressed it.

In 1997, an international treaty to cut greenhouse gas was opposed by a red Senate.

In 2001, the president promised to regulate four air pollutants including CO2, and the plan vanished in a Senate controlled by conservatives.

In 2007, a congressman’s bill would have created a market for trading carbon emissions, and the initiative went nowhere.

In 2009, a major emissions reductions bill was passed by the House, then fell apart

in a GOP dominated Senate.

In 2022, the most ambitious proposal to cut fossil fuel gassing of the atmosphere was again defeated by the Senate.

In summary, until last year, whenever a president or member of Congress proposed a measure to reduce carbon pollution, certain Republican members of Congress leaped to derail the effort. That is their privilege, however the CO2 tonnage in the atmosphere was never hindered in the slightest, and grew further out of control for decades. My mission is to try and help convince those politicians that feel climate change is objectionable… is actually the exact opposite. My passion for this mission will never cease!

Next, I will summarize both presidential candidate’s behavior towards climate action. Only recorded facts will be provided so as to demonstrate, with respect to climate action specifically, there is but one pro-climate presidential candidate that must be elected.

Again, I know I understand completely if you feel there are other more dire election issues to consider before you place your vote. Regardless, two to five elections from now, you and so many others will be convinced that what I’m prioritizing this time around - is spot on. I pray it won't take another eight to 12 years for most American citizens to agree that Earth’s temperature has to be front and center on every U.S. federal and state election podium. 

Some history pertaining to the Republican candidate seeking the office of President of the United States:

Shortly after taking oath on January 20, 2017, the former president issued an executive order mandating that for every environmental regulation that was passed by the prior administration, two such laws would be eliminated. Later, that president withdrew America from the Paris Agreement! All and all, during his past term in office, almost 100 policies pertaining to decarbonization, as well as water and wildlife protection from contaminants, were eliminated, or reduced in scope.

When the former president announced his 2024 campaign, he said, “The Green New Deal and the environment, which they say may effect us in 300 years, is all that’s talked about. They say the ocean will rise an eighth of an inch over the next 200-300 years.”

And during an interview in March of 2022, the man said, “In my opinion, you have a thing called weather, and you go up and you go down. The climate’s always been changing.”

Then at a December, 2023 town hall, this person elaborated, “The only global warming we should be thinking about and worrying about because it’s going to happen tomorrow, is nuclear global warming, not global warming. You know they don’t call it global warming now because it wasn’t working. . .global warming wasn’t working when it was cooling. So now they call it climate change.”

Some history pertaining to the Democrat candidate seeking election to the office of the President of the United States: Throughout her career, she has supported climate action and environmental justice. In her role as the CA Attorney General, she prosecuted oil giants BP and Chevron over hazardous waste dumping, as well as Conoco Phillips over gas station violations. She also investigated Exxon regarding spreading climate change disinformation.

She joined other CA prosecutors to file charges against a broken oil pipeline owner after about 100 miles of beachfront was polluted. At the time, she said, “any company transporting crude oil and doing it in a way that is irresponsible and in violation of the law will be held accountable.”

At the 2023 climate summit in Dubai, the current Vice President reassured the conference attendees that the United States of America, after having rejoined the Paris Agreement, will once again be a global leader in the fight to overcome the climate emergency.

In her very first interview as a presidential candidate: “Climate change is a real and present danger.” 

The Democrat presidential candidate will be the only one of the two running for the highest office in America that will be a leader for further CO2 and methane regulations while championing President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2023, the most significant legislation ever in terms of climate action.

 The time for emissions correction is running out and she understands what must be accomplished before the days, months and a few more years quickly slip by. 

One last bit to share: Our current administration has literally given a new direction for flattening, then reducing Earth’s chronic fever. If the Vice President wins the election, that effort will be improved upon. And if she is not chosen, I believe our nation’s federal climate action efforts will hit a block wall - unless the ex-president gets climate-real and does an about-climate-face. Sadly, given all that he has demonstrated, we must not rely on such a high risk. 

Fresh water, safe air quality and favorable weather aren’t options. . .they are Everything. In comparison to what took Mother Nature an eternity to create, humanity is winding down those majestic achievements in the blink of an eye, and it makes no sense to hasten the wind down by electing a Republican presidential candidate that will do whatever he can to assist the perpetrators of greenhouse gas enhancement.   

In this regard, American voters will never again have such a time to distinguish themselves. An enormous positive, or negative, impression on the future health of the world’s atmosphere, water and land masses will literally be decided on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.