Castro’s commitment to environmental justice is laudable, but his climate plan falls short

WASHINGTON – Presidential candidate Julian Castro unveiled his climate plan recently.

Nicole Ghio, Senior Fossil Fuels Program Manager at Friends of the Earth Action, issued the following statement in response: 

Friends of the Earth Action applauds Secretary Castro’s strong commitment to fight for the communities most impacted by the toxic legacy of fossil fuels. We are encouraged by his plan to create a new category for refugees displaced by climate change and his support for new civil rights legislation to address environmental discrimination and racism. 

While Secretary Castro’s pledge to end all fossil fuel subsidies and extraction on public lands is laudable, it is disappointing to see him fail to call for the end of new fossil fuel infrastructure projects and fracking. Secretary Castro stands out for his commitment to environmental justice, but his plan falls short of the change we need to avert climate disaster.

Contact: Erin Jensen, (202) 222-0722, [email protected]