The 2024 Republican platform was recently released, and it has caused quite a stir. Despite 2023 being the hottest global year on record and 2024 following the same trend, the platform does not mention the word “climate” even once. This omission highlights the party’s lack of concern for environmental protection and the pressing issue of climate change.
To understand why the Republican platform neglects to address climate change, it is crucial to examine the party’s ties to the energy and natural resource industry. Since 1990, lawmakers from the Republican party have received a staggering $300 million in donations from energy and natural resource interest groups, primarily fossil fuel companies. In contrast, Democrats have received less than half that amount during the same period. This significant financial influence from the fossil fuel industry explains the party’s reluctance to prioritize climate-related issues.
Former President Donald Trump’s leadership heavily influenced the Republican agenda, and his track record on environmental policies speaks volumes. During his first term, Trump overturned approximately 100 environmental regulations, withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, and weakened the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, reports emerged in April that Trump promised to reverse some of President Joe Biden’s climate policies in exchange for a $1 billion campaign contribution from oil tycoons. These actions demonstrate Trump’s disregard for climate change and his willingness to prioritize the interests of oil companies over environmental concerns.
Furthermore, the recent appointment of three Supreme Court justices by Trump has further eroded environmental regulation. These justices played a role in overturning the Chevron doctrine, a longstanding legal precedent that directed courts to defer to federal agencies’ interpretation of clear statutes. This decision allows corporate America to evade environmental regulations more easily, exacerbating the already dire situation.
Bill McKibben, an environmentalist and founder of climate groups Third Act and 350.org, aptly summarized Trump’s stance on climate change. He stated that Trump cannot mention climate change because his policies would only worsen the situation. Essentially, Trump’s agenda inadvertently promotes further global warming.
The dismissive response of Republican Senator Katie Britt to a young climate activist perfectly encapsulates the party’s attitude towards climate change. When confronted about her ties to the oil and gas lobby, Britt evaded the question and instead questioned the voter’s issue with “Big Oil.” This dismissive response highlights the party’s unwillingness to address the climate crisis and their support for toxic drilling practices. Britt received $197,037 from the oil and gas industries since joining Congress in 2022, further illustrating the party’s financial ties to the fossil fuel industry.
While it may seem surprising that the Republican platform does not mention climate change, it is essential to note that some Republicans have engaged with the issue in the past. Representative John Curtis of Utah launched the Conservative Climate Caucus in 2021 to educate Republicans on climate policies and legislation. However, despite receiving favorable media coverage, the group has had minimal impact. Its members have attacked environmental regulations, refused to vote for bills like the Inflation Reduction Act, and accepted substantial donations from the fossil fuel industry.
In conclusion, the 2024 Republican platform’s failure to mention climate change despite record-breaking temperatures reflects the party’s alignment with the interests of the fossil fuel industry. The financial influence of energy and natural resource interest groups on Republican lawmakers has resulted in a dismissive attitude towards climate change and a lack of prioritization for environmental protection. This disregard for the pressing issue of climate change is concerning, as it perpetuates policies that contribute to further global warming.
