US presidential candidates with very different views on climate and hydrocarbons

2024-06-02 23:00:26, Kosova & Bota CNA

Presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump have very different positions and plans on climate and energy issues

During his years in office, President Joe Biden has made his views on climate change clear.

"My administration has treated the crisis as an existential threat from the moment we took office, not just to us, but to all of humanity," President Biden told the UN General Assembly in September 2023.

President Biden has expanded energy options, including solar and wind. It has also placed restrictions on oil drilling on land owned by the federal government.

Activists are demanding more be done.

"Besides just climate change, we also have very rare birds and species across America that are greatly affected by oil exploration. It will not be enough just to increase clean energy, without reducing the production of fossil fuels at the same time", says Collin Rees, from the organization "Oil Change US".

If President Biden wants to get the support of voters who care about the environment in the November election, he will have to make further changes, Mr. Rees says.

"It is important that he takes action to demonstrate that he is ready to oppose fossil fuels, as this is what will revitalize the environmentalists. This would turn them from reluctant voters to active voters who will try to convince their friends too," says Mr Rees.

Former President Donald Trump has a very different plan if he returns to the White House.

"We will drill (for oil) immediately," Mr. Trump declared in January.

The Senate Finance and Budget Committees are investigating an offer former President Trump reportedly made to oil companies that if they donate $1 billion to his campaign, he will lift restrictions imposed to combat the changes. climate when the president is elected.

What is certain is that the oil and gas industry strengthened during the administration of former President Trump, says Kathleen Sgamma, of the non-profit organization Western Energy Alliance.

“President Trump championed domestic oil and natural gas and sought to make the United States an energy superpower. And we achieved this status", says Mrs. Sgamma.

But she says that despite criticism of President Biden, this industrial sector will work with whoever is in the White House.

"Let's hope that a second administration of President Biden, who imposed strong restrictions during the first term, will probably take a step back in the second term. With a new administration of President Trump, let's hope that some of these restrictions will be removed", says Mrs. Sgamma.

Analysts believe that the outcome of the November elections will have consequences within the country and around the globe, as it may affect the leadership role of the United States on climate issues./ VOA