Why Friends of the Earth Action is excited to support Kamala Harris for President of the United States
When it comes to leadership that aligns with progressive values and environmental justice advocacy, Kamala Harris is a standout candidate for president. If you’re looking for a leader who will defend democracy and our freedoms and take real climate action, look no further than Harris.
Harris’ impressive career includes roles as San Francisco district attorney, California Attorney General, U.S. Senator, and Vice President of the United States. As the first Black and South Asian woman to hold these positions, and as the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, Harris’ rise isn’t just historic – it reflects our country’s growing diversity and promises a more inclusive future.
Harris has consistently demonstrated her dedication to environmental justice throughout her career. As a U.S. Senator, she introduced and co-sponsored several critical pieces of legislation aimed at combating climate change and environmental racism. This notably includes the Climate Equity Act, which would require evaluations of climate policy impacts on marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental damage. Harris was also the initial lead Senate sponsor of the Environmental Justice for All Act. This legislation seeks to address adverse public health and environmental effects in communities of color, low-income communities, and tribal and indigenous communities by establishing environmental justice requirements, advisory boards, and programs.
During her tenure as California’s Attorney General, Harris put polluters on notice and pushed for the adoption of clean energy technologies. In 2012, Harris launched an investigation into Chevron after a major fire broke out at its refinery in Richmond, California, releasing toxic smoke into the air and harming thousands of residents. As a result, Chevron was fined $2 million and agreed to improve safety measures. Following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Harris joined the lawsuit against BP, resulting in a historic $20.8 billion settlement in 2015, the largest environmental settlement in U.S. history. In 2015, when it was revealed that Volkswagen was using software in its diesel vehicles to cheat emissions tests, resulting in cars that emitted pollutants far above legal limits, Harris worked to secure a $14.7 billion settlement, from the company, with $1.18 billion allocated to California for environmental remediation and compensation to consumers.
Beyond environmental issues, Harris will continue fighting to protect and expand voting rights, healthcare access, and our fundamental freedoms. She supports unions, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive freedom. And she has a plan to create an “opportunity economy” that would boost the middle class and make the wealthy pay their fair share.
While issues like our economy, democracy and foreign policy will continue to be top of mind for many this November, climate has remained a consistent priority for younger and progressive voters. Poll after poll shows that a vast majority of Americans support immediately addressing the climate crisis.
Kamala Harris is the progressive leader and environmental advocate that many voters are looking for in a president. She can be trusted to take necessary climate action, hold polluting corporations accountable and help us justly transition to a sustainable, renewable economy. When it comes to building a more healthy and just future, Kamala Harris is an historic and exciting candidate worthy of support.