Archive
Winners of the election have an asterisk (*) next to their names (source: NPR).
House of Representatives
Gloria Tinsley Witt (D)
John Joseph McGuire III (R) *
United States Senate
Timothy M. Kaine (D) *
- “Climate change is an existential threat to Virginia’s economy, our national security, and the future of our Commonwealth”
- As senator, voted in favor of Inflation Reduction Act to invest in clean energy
- Also as senator, passed his EMBRACE act to improve climate resilience at military facilities
- Opposed off-shore drilling on Virginian coastline
- Opposed fast-tracking Mountain Valley Pipeline in Virginia
- Announced $3.5 million in https://www.cbs19news.com/news/warner-kaine-announces-nearly-3-5m-for-clean-energy-in-virginia/article_d96204b0-6bd0-11ef-ae61-978e4cb42967.htmlfederal funding to support clean energy projects across Virginia, including $76,840 for the City of Charlottesville.
Hung Cao (R)
- “We should always be a good steward of the Earth that God provided. American energy producers have the cleanest practices in the world, yet the Biden-Kaine administration continues to punish our domestic energy industry and force an American dependence on unclean foreign energy sources.”
- “The American mining industry follows regulations and focuses on protecting the land they mine.”
- “The Biden-Kaine administration punishes this industry and forces an American dependence on foreign mining that utilizes unclean practices and slave labor.”
- “We depend on Iran, Venezuela, and Russia for our energy. We should not be dependent on countries that have made it their mission to kill us.”
President and Vice President of the United States
Kamala D. Harris, President and Tim Walz, Vice President (Democratic party)
- As Attorney General, Harris won millions in settlements against Big Oil and held polluters accountable (source)
- As Vice President, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history (source)
- The Harris/Walz campaign plans to: “advance environmental justice, protect public lands and public health, increase resilience to climate disasters, lower household energy costs, create millions of new jobs, and continue to hold polluters accountable to secure clean air and water for all”
- “meeting this global challenge will require global cooperation and she is committed to continuing and building upon the United States’ international climate leadership”
Donald J. Trump, President and JD Vance, Vice President (R) *
- As President, Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate agreement (source)
- As President, Trump reduced Climate regulations (source)
Jill E. Stein, President and Rudolph T. Ware III, Vice President (Green Party)
- Plans to advance the Real Green New Deal
- “We all have a human right to a livable planet with a stable climate, healthy food, clean air and water, and living soil. We need a real Green New Deal to transition rapidly from an economic system that is destroying our only home to a sustainable society built around human needs and protecting life on Earth. We need to act now so that our children and future generations can not only survive, but thrive.”
Chase R. Oliver, President and Mike ter Maat, Vice President (Libertarian Party)
Claudia De la Cruz, President and Karina Garcia, Vice President (Independent)
- The Socialist campaign [though not De la Cruz directly] is “ going to tackle the climate crisis head on, and guarantee a sustainable future with a crash emergency program to triple the reduction in carbon emissions from 2023 levels every year for the next six years — including projects to supercharge the production of clean energy technologies.”
Cornel R. West, President and Melina Abdullah, Vice President (Independent)
- “This battle against the existential threat of climate change, compounded by the disproportionate impact on our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, demands a radical reimagining of our relationship with the earth, with each other, and with future generations.
- Plans to create a “Global Green Reconstruction Initiative”, implement a constitutional right to a healthy environment, nationalize the fossil fuel industry, declare a climate emergency, halting oil and gas projects.
- Proposes a “moratorium on false solutions”, climate reparations, justice for environmental sacrifice zones, cancelling harmful projects, a risk bond program, PIC for indigenous peoples, ending water privatization, rescinding harmful legislation, and anticipating climate induced displacement.
December 12, 2023: Office of Sustainability Established
- The new Office of Sustainability will : act under City Manager’s Office in support of Charlottesville’s CAP (Climate Action Plan). This move underscores the city’s commitment to integrating sustainability and climate action throughout its operations. The Office will work across all city departments to advance the city’s climate goals and support the initiatives outlined in the city’s new Strategic Plan, adopted in September 2023.
- Charlottesville has had a formal environmental program since 2002, focusing on areas like pollution prevention, water and energy efficiency, and climate resilience. This includes the community’s Climate Action Plan, adopted in early 2023, which sets ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. The city is also collaborating with Albemarle County and the University of Virginia on the Resilient Together initiative to help the region adapt to climate change.
- Kristel Riddervold, the Director of the Office of Sustainability, emphasized the importance of collaboration and community engagement in achieving these climate goals. The Office will continue working with residents, businesses, and local partners to create a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future. To learn more, visit the city’s Green City webpage or follow the city’s social media for updates.
- Read more at this link: charlottesville.gov and on their website: climateaction.charlottesville.gov