WASHINGTON (October 1, 2024)—Tonight’s vice-presidential debate comes while millions of people in the Southeast are reeling from a devastating hurricane that was fueled by record-warm ocean temperatures.
A statement follows from Alexandra Adams, senior advisor to the NRDC Action Fund:
“Tonight’s debate comes while the devastating real-life impacts of the climate crisis on the Southeast are on full display for the nation. Hurricane Helene has taken more than a hundred lives. It knocked out power or water for millions, caused billions of dollars in damage, and destroyed countless homes, businesses and entire communities, in places so far from the coast that many never even thought they were at risk.
“The response from the Trump-Vance ticket? To deny the problem, patronize the victims, and turn the region’s heartbreak into a political stunt. In the days after landfall, Trump has called climate change a ‘scam’ and told the people suffering: ‘You’ll be OK.’ He hit the campaign trail in Georgia, one of the hardest hit states, just days after the storm—diverting critical security resources from those who desperately need it.
“It’s more of the same from these two, who are in this election for themselves and the Big Oil billionaires who are bankrolling their campaign and fueling this crisis. They’ve publicly pledged allegiance to them, at the expense of the rest of us, and they’re walking the walk.
“It’s a stark contrast to Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. They paused campaigning so Harris could work alongside President Biden on the storm response. They’re serious about addressing the root cause of the problem: Kamala Harris has been a driving force in the strongest presidential administration on climate in U.S. history, and Tim Walz made Minnesota a climate leader. Together, they are committed to building a better, safer, more secure future from day one.
“When the vice-presidential candidates meet tonight, moderators must push them on their plans—or lack thereof—for addressing the climate crisis. The people of the Southeast—of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida—are on the frontlines right now. They deserve answers.”
