A Harris presidency could tackle plastic pollution

A Harris administration could make significant strides against plastic pollution, leveraging her background as California’s attorney general and her support for federal legislation aimed at reducing plastic waste.

Joseph Winters reports for Grist.


In short:

  • Kamala Harris has a strong environmental record, including co-sponsoring the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020.
  • As vice president, she supported initiatives to eliminate single-use plastics from federal operations.
  • Harris' potential presidency could continue efforts to address plastic pollution, holding polluters accountable and supporting international treaties.

Key quote:

“Harris is at least competent and a true public servant, and she believes in international diplomacy and tackling global problems. I can’t say the same for Trump.”

— Julie Teel Simmonds, senior attorney, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund

Why this matters:

With her track record as a tough-on-corporate-crime prosecutor and a staunch environmental advocate, Harris brings the chops needed to tackle the plastics crisis head-on. Read more: Biden administration unveils plan to wean US government off single-use plastics.

Three factory workers walking through a factory

US factories are struggling to get cleaner heat

Many manufacturers burn fossil fuels to make snacks, materials, and chemicals. High electricity costs are complicating their efforts to switch to cleaner technologies.

A Black man with perspiration on his face on a sunny day

The Post counted 70 deaths from July heat domes. The true toll may not be known

Epidemiologists said the country’s slow, sometimes haphazard approach to assessing heat mortality makes that a dramatic undercount.
An aerial view of a solar farm with wind turbines in the background

Why Germany keeps switching off its solar and wind farms

Europe’s solar and wind farms are actively choosing not to produce energy, as experts warn more investment is needed in storage and flexible technologies.

An American flag with wooden cutouts of a donkey and an elephant in the foreground

How keeping quiet about the climate could backfire for Democrats

Climate change might not be voters' top priority, but new polling suggests that emphasizing it may actually boost support for candidates.
A view of a landfill against a blue sky

Indonesia plan to cut landfill methane alters trash picker livelihoods

At Indonesia’s largest landfill, Bantargebang, waste picker Nur Wencih fears a sweeping government crackdown on open dumping could threaten the livelihood that has supported her family for two decades.
Orange Hitachi excavator working a coal mine.

Trump administration eyes massive coal reserves under federal lands

The Western U.S. is sitting on billions of tons of unmined coal, a new report from the U.S. Department of the Interior finds.

Large open-pit mining operation

Locals fear for their children’s quality of life if the biggest coal mine extension in New South Wales is approved

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns' government promised no new coal mines but permits expanding existing sites, despite being behind on climate targets.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.