Wars in West Asia and Ukraine, heated debates over immigration and economic concerns dominate the discourse ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. However, another crucial issue is looming on the world stage and the results of the vote could significantly alter the controversial policies that entangle it: climate change.

The outcome of the presidential election in the country’s largest oil producer and second largest emitter of greenhouse gases will impact the direction of climate policy, not just for the United States, but for the entire planet. Washington wields enormous influence over global climate efforts. As Ariel Moger from Friends of Earth Action said Al Jazeera in June, “the fate of our planet depends on American voters”.
The issues: much more than just American politics
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ recent warning that we are “playing Russian roulette with our planet” underscores the urgency of the situation. The next US president will play a crucial role in guiding global climate action at a time when extreme weather events have become more frequent and severe. The November 5 elections could have a significant impact on this year’s CoP summit, which will be held in Azerbaijan, just days after the United States elects a new president.
Voter Priorities and Climate Concerns
Despite the existential threat of climate crisis, this topic has yet to be the focus of the 2024 campaign. Narratives on economic issues, immigration and foreign policy have taken center stage. The recent devastation caused by two major hurricanes, however, could change voters’ priorities. Last month, Hurricane Helene became one of the deadliest storms ever to hit the United States, killing more than 220 people and causing billions of dollars in damage. Hurricane Milton followed for two weeks, ravaging Florida. Scientists found that both storms were strengthened by the climate crisis.
A report from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication found that 62% of registered voters support candidates pledging climate action. This sentiment cuts across party lines, as even half of liberal-moderate Republicans favor such candidates. However, among voters’ priorities, the climate crisis still lags behind other issues. According to a recent Gallup poll, only 2 percent of Americans cited it as the most important problem facing the country, far behind economic concerns and government leadership.
A story of two candidates
In Kamala Harris – a Democrat currently serving as vice president under President Joe Biden – the American voter has a candidate who has not only recognized the urgency of climate action, but has also been part of an administration that has embraced the most ambitious climate legislation in U.S. history. the Inflation Reduction Act. This law sets emissions reduction targets and allocates substantial funds to the clean energy transition.
Trump, on the other hand, has a history of climate skepticism. During his previous term, he withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement and opened vast areas to oil and gas exploration, repeating his “drill, baby, drill” mantra as he went. Recent reports suggest he plans to roll back environmental regulations if re-elected.
A new way forward
As part of Harris’ manifesto, the Democratic nominee said she would “unite Americans to fight the climate crisis” while building on previous work, advancing environmental justice, protecting public lands and public health, while continuing to hold polluters accountable to guarantee cleanliness. air and water for all. The manifesto also recognizes the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and promises to increase resilience to climate disasters.
Harris’ manifesto also attacks the former president, claiming that “Trump asked executives of big oil companies to donate money to his campaign so he could repeal regulations and cut taxes in order to ‘increase their profits’.
A project for the Trump presidency
The Republican candidates’ manifesto, Agenda 47, lists 20 fundamental promises to make “America great again”. Among them, the promise to “make America the main energy producer in the world, by far!” “.
Additionally, its more than 1,300-word preamble says: “Common sense tells us clearly that we must unleash American energy if we are to destroy inflation and bring prices down quickly, building the greatest economy in the world. history, revive our defense industrial base, fuel emerging industries. , and make the United States the world’s manufacturing superpower. The United States has more liquid gold under our feet than any other country, and it doesn’t even come close. The Republican Party will harness this potential to fuel our future,” he said.
Looking to the future
The 2024 US elections are not just about American politics; this is the future of global climate action. Whether climate change will be the deciding factor remains to be seen, but its impact on the election – and the impact of the election on climate policy – will undoubtedly be significant. The outcome of this election could determine whether we find an “off-ramp from the highway to climate hell” or whether we continue to accelerate toward environmental catastrophe.
Tannu Jain, Chief Content Producer of HT, selects climate news from around the world and analyzes its impact using connected reporting, research and expert keynotes.