As we approach November 3rd, it is important to spend some time considering the impacts of the 2020 presidential election on sustainability and environmentalism as a whole. The president we elect this November will dictate whether our country starts to address climate change or continues to ignore this critical issue. It is important to remember that there are many other elected positions and propositions on the ballot which will determine how we address these issues in the next four years.
Register to Vote!
The statewide voter registration deadline is October 19. You can register online or check your registration status at https://registertovote.ca.gov.
If you missed the deadline but still want to vote in the November election, California allows conditional voter registration, which is available from October 20-November 3. If you are eligible to vote, simply visit your county election office, polling place, or vote center and you will be able to cast a conditional vote. Your voter registration status will be verified and your ballot will be counted after you are confirmed as an eligible voter.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 27, and it must be postmarked by November 3 to be counted. Many advocacy groups suggest that you complete and return your absentee ballot as soon as possible, and postmark it no later than October 20 to guarantee that it arrives safely in time to be counted.
Presidential Candidates
Joe Biden - While Biden has fallen short of embracing the Green New Deal, he has a record of believing in science, and the same cannot be said for his opponent. This New York Times article provides a good overview of his progress on this issue.
Biden recently announced a $2 trillion Climate Plan which would “significantly escalate the use of clean energy in the transportation, electricity and building sectors, part of a suite of sweeping proposals designed to create economic opportunities and strengthen infrastructure while also tackling climate change.”
In contrast, his original plan called for spending $1.7 trillion over 10 years with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions before 2050.
The new plan includes actions to achieve an emissions-free power sector by 2035 and upgrade four million buildings over four years to meet the highest standards for energy efficiency.
It would also establish an Office of Environmental and Climate Justice at the Justice Department and set a goal for disadvantaged communities to receive 40 percent of all clean energy and infrastructure benefits he has proposed.