How Kamala Harris Should Have Answered the Question About Climate Change

During the recent presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, moderator Linsey Davis asked a question about climate change.

“We have another issue that we’d like to get to that is important for a number of Americans, in particular for younger voters, and that’s climate change. President Trump, with regard to the environment you say that we have to have clean air and clean water. Vice President Harris, you called climate change an existential threat. The question to you both tonight is: what would you do to fight climate change?”

In his response, Trump never addressed the question. Harris did, but even her answer was not what I wanted to hear. Had I been Vice President Harris, how would I have answered that question? Like this:

“Yes, I believe climate change is an existential threat. I believe that because the evidence shows it is true. After examining all the data, scientists nearly unanimously believe climate change and global warming are dire emergencies.

President Trump doesn’t agree. He calls climate change a hoax. He apparently believes that America’s best scientists are conspiring to deceive the American people about climate change. During President Trump’s administration, he withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accord. He removed all mention of climate change from government websites. He cut NASA’s program to monitor carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If he’s elected, he wants to drill, drill, drill for more fossil fuels starting on day one.

I believe in science. I respect science. I take warnings from scientists seriously. Climate change is real. Vaccines work. Evolution happened. Science is important, and I would seek out scientists to play a leading role in my administration.

The Inflation Reduction Act that President Biden and I passed has done much to fight climate change. We provided billions of dollars to promote clean energy. I know there is more that needs to be done, but we made a good start. President Trump mocks those efforts. We must transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. The lives of all Americans depend on us doing that. We must not fail.

Finally, I would like to say something to the young voters of this country. If I were you, I would be a single issue voter on climate change. You will live for decades with the climate decisions we make today. I urge you to look at President Trump’s position on climate change, and at mine, decide which position better reflects your views, and then vote. Vote like your life depends on it. Because it does.”