December, 10 2019, 11:00pm EDT
Joe Biden Can Do Better on Climate: 350 Action Launches Biden 2020 Petition
Brooklyn, NY
350 Action has launched an effort to push former Vice President Joe Biden on his climate justice platform. Although he has adopted some aspects of the Green New Deal in his climate plan, Biden has supported demonstrably false solutions like "carbon capture," while his rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline has been tepid at best -- earning him two "unknowns" on the 350.org Climate Test. Currently, Mr. Biden is one of the Democratic frontrunners in the 2020 Presidential Race.
The following is a statement from Tamara Toles O'Laughlin, 350 Action's North America Director:
"The 2020 Presidential election is an unparalleled opportunity for public officials to demonstrate leadership in a political landscape that has courted climate denial and enabled fossil fuel profiteers. We are in dire need of action that is bold and directly addresses ongoing climate injustice.
"Vice President Joe Biden has dragged his feet in responding to the urgency of the climate and environmental crises across the country. Stunningly, we've watched a strident Biden attend fundraisers hosted by fossil fuel power brokers and rub shoulders with dirty fuel magnates.
"The other 2020 frontrunners, Senators Sanders and Warren, have plans for the people. They have pursued the gold standard of climate leadership with real commitment to make polluters pay for a just transition and the Green New Deal. We deserve better than Joe Biden's silence in the face of crisis. With this petition, we are organizing our communities to show him the kind of leader he must be for this moment."
The petition urges Joe Biden to:
- Oppose all new federal permits and leases for fossil fuel infrastructure and extraction, from pipelines to LNG export terminals and coal mining leases.
- Commit to investigating the fossil fuel industry's role in causing the climate crisis and misleading the public about it.
- Support a national end to fracking for oil and gas.
- Respect his commitment to the spirit of the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge by rejecting campaign funds and campaign advice from fossil fuel executives and lobbyists and their corporate PACs.
350 Action is the independent political action arm of the non-profit, non-partisan climate justice group 350.org.
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