Environmental policy is at the forefront of many people’s minds as voters prepare to cast their ballots for the presidential election. 

“We’re at a really big turning point in terms of climate change, because I think the action that we take within the next five years is really going to determine the future of our planet,” said Tara Krishnan, a co-president of Green Team, an environmental club at Carlmont. 

However, many voters are still heavily divided over the issue of climate change and how to address it. 

Tackling the climate crisis

Many Democrats believe that tackling climate change is a significant concern. According to the Pew Research Center, 59% of Democrats say dealing with global climate change is a top priority. 

This concern is likely heightened by the real-life impacts many Democrats have experienced, as 51% of Democrats in the Pacific region say climate change has affected their local community, compared to 11% of Republicans from the same area who agree. 

Vice President Kamala Harris’ plan for the climate crisis reflects this concern, as she pledges to unite Americans to tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, increase resilience to climate disasters, and hold polluters accountable, all while lowering household energy costs.

“With the current administration, there is a commitment to implementing environmental policies that are very broadly based on research and the latest science that we have,” said David Anthoff, an environmental economist and professor at the University of California, Berkeley. 

Harris has also won the trust of many voters due to her past actions in environmental policy. She held many Big Oil companies accountable as Attorney General and famously cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. 

“Kamala Harris can be expected to continue trying to take actions to help alleviate climate change, similar to the types of actions that the Biden administration has put into place,” said Suzanne Emerson, a local environmental advocate. 

Harris’s actions towards clean energy are popular amongst Democrats, as 68% of Democrats believe that relying on renewable energy sources would increase job opportunities in the energy sector, 53% believe relying on renewable energy sources would improve prices for heating and cooling homes, and 35% believe relying on renewable energy sources would improve the prices of everyday goods. 

Harris also vowed to continue building on America’s international climate leadership. According to the Pew Research Center, this commitment to global change is a popular policy, as 74% of Americans support U.S. participation in international efforts to reduce the effects of climate change. 

In the Carlmont community, many students are concerned about the issue of climate change and are eager for ways to aid the climate crisis. 

“Members in our club seem to be really passionate about energy usage and making sure that we lower our carbon footprint by transitioning away from fossil fuels,” Krishnan said. 

Unleashing American energy

Many people don’t prioritize environmental concerns simply because they believe climate change is not a real issue. According to the Pew Research Center, 14% of Americans say there is no solid evidence that global warming is happening. Former President Donald Trump’s lack of action or concern over environmental issues is often attributed to his denial of the existence of climate change. 

“Trump continues to specifically say that climate change is a hoax or a scam,” Emerson said. 

Although many Republicans recognize that climate change is occurring, they view other issues as more critical. According to the Pew Research Center, 84% of Republicans believe that strengthening the economy is a top priority. In contrast, only 12% of Republicans believe that dealing with climate change is a top priority. 

Trump’s energy plan reflects this, as he prioritizes making America energy-independent and harnessing the fossil fuels stored in American land.

Trump has resonated with many Republicans, especially those from states reliant on fossil fuel industries. According to the Pew Research Center, 73% of Republicans support expanding offshore oil and gas drilling, aligning with Trump’s energy policies aimed at increasing fossil fuel production.

“I think it’s pretty clear that the incoming Trump administration would give a lot more weight to the interests of industry, but for climate change in particular, we know they’re way behind in policy,” Anthoff said.

The result of the presidential election may also affect local policies and issues. For example, the Clean Air Act allowed states to implement state implementation plans (SIPs) to achieve National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). This allowed states such as California to implement stricter air quality standards, which affected manufacturers and industries when creating products that had to comply with air quality standards in various states. However, if Trump wins the presidency, he may want to revoke this ability. 

“The deregulation that the Trump administration might plan might even affect environmental regulations in California,” Anthoff said. 

It’s clear that the outcome of the election will affect environmental policy and other issues in drastic ways, which is why it is crucial to take action and vote. 

“Even in California, where we can expect our vote at the national level to not have as much impact as it would in some swing states, it’s still important to have the popular vote reflect how you feel,” Emerson said.