The 2020 election saw a crowded field of Republican candidates raising the issue of climate change. As temperatures rise and the intensification of weather patterns continues to threaten more extreme climate events, many of the Republican nominees have weighed in on the subject. From no comment to outright denial, we’ve collected and ranked their responses when asked about climate change.
The Top Tier Ignorers:
Leading the pack are Republican candidates who opted not to discuss the issue of climate change until they had more information. Presidential front-runner Joe Biden and his VP choice, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, have maintained this stance since the beginning of the campaign. While some may see their evasion of the question as empty rhetoric, a few candidates have gone one step further and taken a genuine interest in the subject.
The Active Deniers:
The most controversial of Republican stances is an outright denial of climate change science. Donald Trump, the Republican incumbent in the 2020 election, is among these active deniers. His 2020 campaign maintained his previous climate change policy and did not indicate a shift in position. Other Republican candidates such as Bill Weld and Chris Christie have also expressed skepticism and advocated an end to government funding of climate change initiatives.
The Reformists:
Some of the Republican candidates have taken a more moderate approach, indicating that they accept the reality of the situation while also advocating for preventative measures. Former Ohio governor John Kasich falls into this category, as he has supported legislation to curb U.S. contributions to climate change. Kasich has also voiced his opposition to the Green New Deal and other similar public programs.
The Early Supporters:
Finally, we have two Republican candidates who publicly embraced the importance of climate change early on. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley were among the first to publicly discuss the issue, both advocating for a conservative approach to reducing emissions while faulting the current administration’s climate policy.
When it comes to 2020 Republican candidates and their stance on climate change, you can find a range of responses. From active denial to a genuine interest in reform, Republicans have been fairly divided on the issue. As the current administration continues to criticized for its lack of action, Republican candidates have an opportunity to set their own climate policy ahead of the 2022 elections.
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