Extreme Temperature Diary- Monday November 4th, 2024/Main Topic: Last Thoughts Concerning the Most Important Election for Climate to Date – Guy On Climate
Dear Diary. Today is election day eve for the United States. Soon after November 5th we will know if our country embraces democracy and casts off populist Trump for good, or whether the country goes further down an authoritative fascistic path. Ever since the 2018 midterm elections the U.S. has managed to hold onto rule by the Democrats such that we kept the 2015 Climate Parris Accords intact, first by flipping the House in 2018 holding Trump in check, then ousting Trump himself in 2020. That election led to Biden, who implemented the best pro climate governmental program to date via the Inflation Reduction Act. During the election of 2022 a “red wave” did not materialize such that Democrats kept the Senate but lost enough House seats such that Republicans gained control of that governmental body.
Which brings us to 2024. Despite a record hot summer and two deadly fall hurricanes in Helene and Milton, the climate issue is around the bottom twenty on lists of public priorities. The economy, border issues, and governmental corruption and overreach are top issues. That leaves me thinking, how bad do conditions have to deteriorate before people in mass demand climate action? That question might be answered well before the 2028 election, I fear. In any case, Trump has been such a bad candidate, particularly after last weekend’s misogynistic and racist Madison Square rally, that Kamala Harris should win. But by how many votes and if she does win, will Democrats also carry the House and Senate?
Looking at the state of the race, it is likely that the House flips back to the Democrats while the Senate, because Democrats have to defend so many races, gets into Republican hands. A split Congress will make it difficult for either Harris or Trump to push through agendas.
That said, even Dr. Michael Mann has stated that a second Trump presidency would be the final nail in a livable climate coffin, and I agree. Most climate people, particularly millennials and Generation Z folks who will be affected by a changing climate the most, know this and have already voted. If by the tiniest chance that you have not, get out there and do your civic duty on Tuesday. |
