Today, let’s discuss our decisions about the future—decisions that will determine our planet’s health, economy, and future generations’ survival. We must discuss the clear and critical differences between the Republican National Committee (RNC), Project 2025, and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) platforms regarding climate, energy, and environmental protections.

Our choices about energy and environmental policy will affect our quality of life and the stability of our global economy. So today, I’m diving into these issues, starting with the question: What future are we building?

Project 2025’s plan takes deregulation and energy independence to a whole new level.

Project 2025 outlines a future in which environmental protections are pared back, and federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are restructured to give more control to businesses and less to the government. Why? Because their primary concerns are economic growth and energy independence.

Based on the viewpoint of the Project 2025 overloads, regulations are roadblocks. For them, increasing the production of oil, gas, and coal is not just a strategy—it’s the backbone of their energy policy. The ultimate goal is to achieve energy independence, but at what cost? If Project 2025 goes into effect, the loosening of environmental protections would likely accelerate climate change, with little consideration for long-term ecological sustainability.

The two parties offer two different views of the world.

The Republicans, like Project 2025, focus on energy independence. They advocate for a continued reliance on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. They argue that transitioning too quickly to clean energy would hurt the economy, causing job losses and higher energy costs. The RNC is more skeptical about the urgency of climate change, referring to policies like the Paris Climate Agreement as economic threats.

The Republican position argues that moving too quickly toward renewable energy would result in job losses and harm the economy, particularly in regions that rely heavily on fossil fuel industries. These industries often provide higher-paying jobs with less formal education required, and they are vital to local economies in states like Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming, where a significant percentage of the workforce depends on these sectors.

The Democrats see climate change as one of our most pressing crises. They are pushing hard for action, advocating for policies to reduce carbon emissions and invest in renewable energy. This includes large-scale projects like those in Biden’s 2022 infrastructure bill, which devoted billions to clean energy efforts such as wind and solar power.

Many studies suggest that renewable energy jobs could offset or exceed the number of fossil fuel jobs lost during the transition. The challenge lies in ensuring that these new jobs are distributed to areas most affected by the decline of fossil fuel industries and that they come online quickly. For example, Brookings research shows that a quarter of U.S. counties with the highest potential for renewable energy generation are also fossil fuel hubs. This overlap presents an opportunity to help communities transition smoothly by focusing on job training and renewable energy investments in these areas.

The Dems’ vision is clear: combat climate change, create jobs, and position the U.S. as a global leader in green technology.

Environmental protections: Who gets the final say?

Environmental policy has become among the most evident dividing lines between Republicans and Democrats. The Democrats advocate for strong federal regulations to protect public lands, waterways, and natural resources. A prime example of this approach was President Biden’s restoration of the Bears Ears National Monument in 2021 after the Trump administration reduced its size during his tenure. This move aligned with the Democrats’ broader strategy of safeguarding critical landscapes and addressing climate change head-on.

In addition, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed under Biden, is a landmark piece of legislation that allocated billions of dollars to renewable energy projects, reflecting the Democrats’ commitment to transitioning the U.S. to a sustainable future through wind, solar, and clean energy technology.

In contrast, Republicans—under Trump’s leadership and the framework outlined by Project 2025—promote a more pro-business approach to the environment. Their policies prioritize deregulation, which they argue is necessary for economic growth and energy independence. For example, they viewed the Trump administration’s rollback of more than 100 environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Rule, as necessary because they argue regulations are overreaching and burdensome for industries like mining and oil extraction. The Republicans support expanded fossil fuel production, arguing that transitioning too quickly to renewable energy would harm the economy and result in significant job losses.

The stark contrast between the parties is also evident in their broader visions.

While the Democrats focus on aggressive climate action, rejoining international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord, and creating jobs through green energy initiatives, Republicans have prioritized fossil fuel extraction and energy independence. Project 2025 goes even further, seeking to dismantle key climate-related agencies and regulations, weakening protections in favor of economic development.

Ultimately, these policy differences give voters a clear choice: a future focused on combatting climate change and building a green economy or prioritizing short-term economic growth through deregulation and increased fossil fuel use. As we approach the 2024 election, the direction of the country’s environmental policies will have far-reaching consequences for both the economy and the planet.

Issue	RNC Position	Project 2025 Position	DNC Position
Environment	Prioritize economic interests in environmental policy. Project 2025 advocates reducing environmental regulations that it argues hinder economic growth while maintaining basic environmental protections.	Reject climate alarmism. The RNC is skeptical of extreme measures to combat climate change, advocating for energy independence and rejecting policies that harm the economy.	Combat climate change and protect natural resources. The DNC supports aggressive action to address climate change, including rejoining international agreements and protecting public lands.
Climate	Promote economic growth while protecting the environment. The RNC supports a balanced approach to economic development without overly restrictive environmental regulations.	Promote economic growth while protecting the environment. The RNC supports a balanced approach for economic development without overly restrictive environmental regulations.	Lead on global climate action. The DNC prioritizes reducing carbon emissions, investing in renewable energy, and leading international efforts to combat climate change.
Energy	Support an all-of-the-above energy strategy. The RNC advocates for using all available energy sources, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables, to ensure energy independence and lower costs.	Expand domestic energy production. Project 2025 supports increasing fossil fuel production, reducing reliance on foreign energy, and minimizing regulations that hinder energy development.	Transition to clean energy. The DNC supports transitioning to renewable energy sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and investing in green technology to combat climate change and create jobs.

Energy policy: A critical choice for the next generation.

Energy policy is one of the most starkly divided issues between Republicans and Democrats, with each side framing it as a pivotal economic driver. Republicans argue that energy independence is essential for both economic growth and national security, focusing heavily on expanding fossil fuel production. Their support for projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline, which promised to boost oil imports from Canada and create thousands of jobs during the Trump administration, exemplifies this commitment.

The Republican platform and Project 2025 continue to advocate for reliance on fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal. Their stance is clear: climate policies, like the Paris Agreement, are seen as threats to economic growth and American jobs, creating burdensome regulations that would increase energy costs. Former President Donald Trump often rallied around slogans like “drill, baby, drill,” emphasizing that increased oil and gas production would drive economic prosperity and keep energy prices low for Americans.

On the other side, the Democrats prioritize the urgent transition to renewable energy, viewing climate change as a defining issue for the future. Their policies, such as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, represent a comprehensive effort to reduce carbon emissions and invest in clean energy technologies like wind and solar. This landmark legislation is expected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the renewable energy sector, positioning the U.S. as a global leader in the fight against climate change.

Vice President Kamala Harris has consistently championed clean energy, framing it as a way to combat the climate crisis and boost economic growth through innovation. For Democrats, the clean energy transition isn’t just about protecting the environment—it’s about seizing new economic opportunities that will define the future global economy.

The long-term stakes: two futures, one planet.

What we’re facing is a choice between two very different futures. One path, favored by Republicans and Project 2025, views environmental regulations as barriers to growth and prioritizes fossil fuels as the bedrock of energy policy. This path promises immediate economic benefits for fossil fuel-dependent industries and communities but could have significant long-term consequences for the planet. If Project 2025 is implemented, we could see a dramatic rollback of environmental protections, a continued reliance on coal, oil, and gas, and a worsening of climate change—potentially locking the U.S. into a future of higher global temperatures, more extreme weather events, and costly environmental degradation.

In contrast, the Democrats’ approach offers a future where climate change is taken seriously and clean energy drives the economy forward. By transitioning to renewable energy sources, they aim to mitigate the environmental impacts of climate change and create new, sustainable economic opportunities. Renewable energy jobs, such as those in the wind and solar industries, are already growing faster than traditional ones. With continued investment, they could become a cornerstone of the U.S. economy in the next 10 to 20 years.

The stakes are high. Climate change isn’t some far-off issue—it’s here, affecting us now. The consequences are clear: devastating wildfires in California, hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, or rising sea levels threatening coastal cities. The question is: do we choose a path that prioritizes short-term economic gains at the expense of long-term environmental stability? Or do we embrace the opportunity to lead the world in clean energy innovation, protecting the planet and the economy for future generations?

This is your chance to decide what kind of country—and world—we want to leave behind.