FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2024
CONTACT: Kayla Gaines; kgaines@greennewdealnetwork.org; (202) 709-2762
Green New Deal Network Calls for Stronger Climate Commitments Following Presidential Debate
Washington D.C. – The Green New Deal Network calls for firmer commitments to curb the climate crisis while ensuring a just transition that protects and empowers oil workers.
”Vice-President Kamala Harris has championed historic climate investments through her work on Inflation Reduction Act, so it’s disappointing to see her back away from her best, most popular work.” said Kaniela Ing, National Director of the Green New Deal Network. “Trump is the worst candidate by far. But based on yesterday’s debate, no one is being true to science. Any expansion of oil production is climate denial, and as a climate advocate and a parent, I refuse to pretend otherwise.”
The scientific community is clear that we cannot afford new oil and gas projects. To truly deliver on campaign promises to protect American workers and innovation while lowering energy costs for families and tackling the climate emergency, we must focus on the positive aspects of the historic Inflation Reduction Act and make new transformative investments to continue building out a clean energy economy – not roll out the new oil and gas leases introduced into the bill by Republicans and fossil fuel politicians.
Workers and communities on the frontlines of the oil and gas industry are paying the high price of corporate profits with their health. In Pennsylvania, a key battleground state in the Presidential election, only 3% of voters mentioned opposing fracking or more drilling as a top of mind negative for Kamala Harris’ campaign, and clean energy industries employ eight times more workers in Pennsylvania than gas does.
In the midst of the hottest year on record and overlapping health and cost of living crises, a visionary plan for ushering in a life-sustaining national economy is essential to contrast with the dangerous, undemocratic proposals in Trump’s Project 2025 agenda.
In addition to strong commitments to phase out dirty fossil fuels, we need a new round of spending in sustainable food, public transportation, and renewable energy.
The Green New Deal Network, with support from partners including Sunrise Movement, Gen Z for Change and Climate and Community Project, have offered a sensible, popular plan to unite American voters by building a minimum of 3 million homes to reduce mortgage and rent payments, curbing price gouging on everyday costs on essentials like groceries, and expanding on the Biden administration’s historic climate and labor agenda.
About the Green New Deal Network:
The Green New Deal Network serves as the central hub for the GND movement, uniting a growing coalition of national groups across various sectors. Over the past four years, the network has built a strong state infrastructure comprising over 600 organizations and millions of members across 23 states. The coalition drives campaigns for transformative investments in climate, care, jobs, and justice. Following the successful advocacy for the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021 and 2022, the network shifted its focus to ensuring these laws deliver tangible benefits to communities most affected by the climate crisis. In 2023, they leveraged these new laws to help pass 13 major state-level climate laws, and are now working on shaping climate policy for the next Congress and President.
Climate Power. “Clean Energy Investments Are Revitalizing Pennsylvania Communities, Trump Is Promising to Crush Them” https://climatepower.us/news/clean-energy-investments-are-revitalizing-pennsylvania-communities-trump-is-promising-to-crush-them/ September 9, 2024.