Democratic hopefuls Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and philanthropist Andrew Yang recently unveiled their climate plans, but they were largely overshadowed by a rapid news cycle with political stories ranging from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's (D-NY) withdrawal from the primary, vice president Joe Biden's fresh gaffes, and Representative Tulsi Gabbard's tragic battle with the DNC for debate qualification. Although climate change policy should be given dedicated coverage and analysis, the rough and tumble nature of political news dominated. After the DNC rejected a special climate debate, it is more imperative that voters realize the issue's urgency and why Bernie and Yang offer the strongest plans to fight climate change.
Bernie's $16.3 trillion plan is his version of the ambitious Green New Deal. Both environmental investment and jobs program, the plan sets a timeline of decarbonization of transport and electricity by 2030 and the entire economy by 2050. The public works part will create 20 million new green jobs. The energy plan will transition the US from fossil fuels to wind, solar, and geothermal. It includes the construction of a smart, sustainable electric grid, energy efficient upgrades for homes and businesses, and stringent regulation of carbon dioxide and methane emissions. Bernie's plan will also invest heavily in energy storage, materials recycling, and engineering research, as well as cooperate with the international signatories of the Paris Climate Agreement to help developing countries cut emissions by 36% through 2030. His plan is ambitious, but it follows the 2018 IPCC report's climate and emissions guidelines.
Yang's $4.9 trillion plan starts off bleak, warning that the situation is already worse than we think. But it is also optimistic and futuristic. Its main pillars are: transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, focus on sustainability through technological innovation, move vulnerable populations to higher ground, conduct research on how to remove carbon from the atmosphere, and pass a constitutional amendment to force federal and state governments to serve as stewards for the environment. Yang's plan asserts it will make the US attain a 100% renewable electric grid by 2035, 85% methane emissions capture by 2045, and a fully carbon neutral economy by 2049. The plan relies strongly on innovation and nuclear power, calling for the use of thorium and hydrogen fusion reactors by 2027. It also includes a carbon tax and dividend supported by most economists. Finally, it suggests research into geoengineering concepts like carbon capture, ocean seeding, aerosol scattering, and space mirrors. Though not the most expensive, Yang's plan is unique in scope and vision.
The climate plans of Bernie and Yang reach decarbonization goals through different means. But the two can learn from each other's policies and create synergy for a faster, better proposal. Bernie could add nuclear energy and hydrogen research to his trio of wind, solar, and geothermal. Yang could study the finance part of Bernie's plan and double or triple his plan's investment spending. Regardless, their plans will likely win over environmentally conscious voters and stand in stark contrast to President Donald Trump's ignorant plan to end ecological protections and disregard climate change. Either Bernie's or Yang's plan would help humanity attain carbon negation before the 2050 IPCC deadline, creating a greener, stronger, and safer world.