By National Political Director Khalid Pitts
As the Democratic National Convention approaches its finale, one clear and striking contrast between America’s two political parties is their approach to the climate crisis and climate action.
At the RNC in Cleveland last week, climate change was largely ignored. The one prime-time mention came from from Oil Tycoon Harold Hamm, who said, “climate change is not a problem.” Donald Trump is considering Hamm for his Energy Secretary.
In stark contrast, the DNC has featured headline speakers regularly invoking the need for climate action. Here’s a roundup of some of the top quotes from the first three days:
Bernie Sanders:
“This election is about climate change, the greatest environmental crisis facing our planet, and the need to leave this world in a way that is healthy and habitable for our kids and future generations. Hillary Clinton is listening to the scientists who tell us that – unless we act boldly and transform our energy system in the very near future – there will be more drought, more floods, more acidification of the oceans, more rising sea levels. She understands that when we do that we can create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs.
Donald Trump? Well, like most Republicans, he chooses to reject science. He believes that climate change is a “hoax,” no need to address it. Hillary Clinton understands that a president’s job is to worry about future generations, not the short-term profits of the fossil fuel industry.”
“We believe that oil companies shouldn’t call the shots in Washington, that science matters, that climate change is real. Hillary will fight to preserve this earth for our children and grandchildren. And we’re with her!”
“As Secretary of State, … [Hillary] put climate change at the center of our foreign policy.”
“Too many Republicans wrongly blame immigrants for problems, and they stand in the way of action on climate change and gun violence.”
Fmr. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley:
“On climate change, Hillary Clinton, like you and me, believes in science. She understands climate change is not only a real threat, it is also the greatest job creation opportunity to come to the United States in a hundred years.
Donald Trump doesn't believe in the science. He says, ‘The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese.’ I'll tell you what: If the Chinese were really capable of designing some kind of diabolical farce to hurt America, they wouldn't invent global warming. They’d invent Donald Trump.”
California Governor Jerry Brown:
“Trump says global warming is a hoax. I say Trump is a fraud; Trump says there’s no drought in California. I say Trump lies.”
“Through diplomacy, we shut down Iran’s nuclear weapons program, opened up a new chapter with the people of Cuba, and brought nearly 200 nations together around a climate agreement that could save this planet for our kids.”