Kamala Harris climate policy
Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Biden steps aside, endorsing Harris as climate advocate

In a historic move, President Joe Biden withdraws from the presidential race, endorsing Kamala Harris, highlighting her strong climate action record.

Zoya Teirstein reports for Grist.


In short:

  • President Joe Biden has announced he will not seek re-election, endorsing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
  • Harris has been a key player in Biden’s climate initiatives, including the Inflation Reduction Act and international climate commitments.
  • As California's Attorney General, Harris prosecuted major environmental cases and created an environmental justice unit.

Key quote:

“We must do more. Our action collectively, or worse, our inaction will impact billions of people for decades to come.”

— Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States

Why this matters:

In Kamala Harris, advocates and environmentalists would certainly have a strong ally in the White House, one who's not afraid to make bold moves.The big question is: Can she rally Congress to back her vision? Because while the presidency has its powers, transforming climate policy requires serious legislative muscle.

For more context, listen to our conversation with Jalonne White-Newsome, Senior Director for Environmental Justice at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Demonstrators hold signs supporting science on a rainy day, with the US Capitol building in background.
Credit: Adam Fagen/Flickr

Trump’s science attacks trigger urgent warning from leading researchers

In an extraordinary move, nearly 2,000 top U.S. scientists are sounding the alarm about what they say is a deliberate campaign to dismantle science under the Trump administration.

Jessica Glenza reports for The Guardian.

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Trump administration considers major cuts to clean energy programs, drawing bipartisan pushback

Lawmakers from both parties are pressing the U.S. Department of Energy to preserve billions in clean energy investments after draft lists of possible project cuts began circulating on Capitol Hill.

James Bikales, Josh Siegel, Kelsey Tamborrino and Ben Lefebvre report for POLITICO.

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FEMA freezes $10 billion in disaster aid for nonprofits amid immigration review

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has halted $10 billion in disaster aid for nonprofits while reviewing whether the funds comply with President Trump’s executive order targeting undocumented migrants.

Thomas Frank reports for E&E News.

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Zeldin shifts EPA toward deregulation and fossil fuel industry allies

Lee Zeldin, once a climate-conscious Republican from New York, is now steering the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to roll back regulations, slash staff, and align with Trump and Elon Musk’s deregulatory vision.

Lisa Friedman reports for The New York Times.

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Faith leaders challenge EPA's climate stance amid deregulatory push

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin’s remarks dismissing climate action as “religion” have sparked backlash from Jewish and Christian leaders, who argue for stronger environmental protections rooted in faith-based values.

James Bruggers reports for Inside Climate News.

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Climate disasters disrupt education for Black children, deepening inequities

Black students in the U.S. face growing educational setbacks as climate-driven disasters like wildfires and hurricanes destroy schools, displace families, and exacerbate systemic inequalities.

Adam Mahoney reports for Capital B News.

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New Mexico moves to protect workers from extreme heat with proposed rules

Officials in New Mexico are advancing new workplace safety rules that would require employers to protect workers from heat-related illnesses as temperatures continue to rise.

Danielle Prokop reports for Source New Mexico.

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