Joe Biden, the next Greta Thunburg? Maybe not, but there is definitely potential
Caitlin Cotter, Staff Writer
Biden has the means to start phasing out fossil fuels, but how far will he go?
Photo courtesy of BBC
Joe Biden is not - and has never been - a political figure known for his commitment to fighting climate change. Between seeking approval from both a more progressive, demanding generation and more moderate Democrats reliant on fossil fuels, he was forced into an unfortunate position that would influence his campaigning for the 2020 presidential election. His claims surrounding environmental policy were either considered not substantial enough to enforce climate regulations and promote a sustainable future, or too extreme for the moderate wing of the party. However, since the election, Biden has made promising steps towards a greener future, naming climate change as one of his main priorities. Even so, the amount of change that Biden will make as the current president is dependent on following through with said campaign promises, as well as the intensity of his environmental policy and financial investment in climate relief. Biden must come down strong on energy regulation, fossil fuel reduction, and environmental justice in order to overturn the negative effects of the Trump era and create a greener future for the country.
Biden’s actual history with environmental affairs paints a different picture than the climate conscious candidate Biden portrayed himself to be during the 2020 election debates. In these debates, he referenced past actions with a 1986 climate change bill and the Paris Climate Agreement from the Obama administration. Even with these claims, it was questionable as to how involved Biden actually was with the implementation of events such as the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, he has historically been fairly moderate in his stance on climate issues. In 2014, Biden aided a financial package to Ukraine that ended up enabling their fossil fuel production rather than reducing their carbon emissions. These sorts of policies could indicate a middle-ground stance surrounding future environmental policy, especially as Biden strives to appease the fracking industry and has yet to call for its ban. Given this context, it is a fair assumption that his approach over the next four years could include the implementation of carbon emission reduction, but not the negation of the role of fossil fuels in the US—despite the desperate need for it.
Biden has already rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as ended the authorization for the Keystone XL Pipeline which had severe environmental consequences.
Photo courtesy of The Washington Post
Even so, this more moderate background will hopefully be a stark contrast to Biden’s future climate ambitions. His current plans include investment in clear energy, emissions reduction and regulation, and environmental justice, and he has come into the Oval Office seemingly prepared to combat one of the most pressing issues of our generation. He has already rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as ended the authorization for the Keystone XL Pipeline which had severe environmental consequences. Other progress includes the creation of the Civilian Climate Corps which provides job training for environmentally focused careers, a move applauded by climate groups. Furthermore, he is formulating an administration that seems to have positive environmental implications. Biden’s more progressive choices for his cabinet in the environmental sector include Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve in a cabinet position, who supports the Green New Deal among other anti-fossil fuel actions. He has also enlisted other climate-conscious officials in his administration such as John Kerry, who retains an effective environmental history and has ties to events like the Kigali Amendment, and Gina McCarthy, the previous EPA director who is supported by progressive groups such as the Sunrise Movement. Despite climate change leaders’ and activists’ initial skepticism surrounding Biden’s willingness to take tangible environmental action, his behavior so far has sent the message that Biden and his administration do consider climate change to be a major priority and they are prepared to create policy and push for investment that reflects its importance.
The Green New Deal is a climate focused framework advocated for by popular progressives like Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Photo courtesy of The Independent
Given the urgency of the climate crisis, however, Biden needs to come down even stronger than he has thus far in the implementation of environmental policy and infrastructure investment. He can do this by focusing on emissions reduction and regulation, investing money into climate infrastructure, or even coming out to fully support the Green New Deal. Research has shown that revamping the electricity grid and investing in renewable energy, like solar pumps and electric vehicles will aid in Biden’s promise of net-zero emissions by 2050—which is feasible only if he is ambitious enough in his federal policy and state engagement, with short and long term emission reduction standards. He can also increase the standard for clean energy so there is less pollution in power plants and transportation. A tangible next step could be fully adopting the climate focused framework provided by the Green New Deal and advocated for by popular progressives like Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The Green New Deal includes the aforementioned components, as well as incorporates other parts of Biden’s stated plans of environmental justice and the creation of green jobs. Even if Biden was previously hesitant to incorporate the term “Green New Deal” into his campaign promises and presidential plans in order to appease all Americans during a polarized election, he can now take these steps without fear that his moderate supporters will jump ship. Adopting the Green New Deal could be crucial for the impact of his campaign promises because it provides a legitimate environmental framework and fully acknowledges the risks associated with climate change. It will also give Biden continued progressive support as he navigates the challenges of the negative environmental legacy left behind by the Trump administration and an extremely split Congress limiting his executive authority.
All things considered, this is only a fraction of what priorities Biden should consider when making the effort to pass climate change focused legislation and relief packages. There are so many more issues centered around climate change relief and how it affects different communities. Biden will make the most of his presidency if he pursues a general baseline of improving pollution standards, investing in clean energy and a reduced emission economy, and focusing on environmental justice for groups that are disproportionately affected by climate change. There is no time to waste. The actions Biden takes now drastically change the future of our world.