Exclusive: How Sen. Schatz is talking about climate in an affordability crisis
Americans are "connecting the dots" between climate and affordability strain, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said Monday at an Axios House event on the sidelines of Climate Week and the UN General Assembly. Why it matters: But as pocketbook issues dominate a critical midterm race, Schatz says that doesn't mean the first thing he mentions to constituents is climate. Still, climate-tangent…
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) highlighted the connection between climate change and affordability challenges during an Axios House event during Climate Week and the UN General Assembly. While pocketbook concerns dominate the midterm elections, Schatz emphasized that climate issues should not be ignored. He suggested discussing climate change in the context of people's struggles to afford basic necessities, citing insurance non-renewals, high gas prices, and increasing utility bills as examples.
Schatz criticized the federal government's roadblocks to renewable energy development, arguing that climate imperatives should no longer be compromised against citizens' financial well-being. He stressed that there is no need for trade-offs, as the deteriorating environment simultaneously exacerbates financial difficulties. As a prominent climate advocate representing a petroleum-dependent state with high energy costs, Schatz emphasized Hawaii's ambitious clean energy initiative to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2035.
The recent GOP budget bill, signed by President Trump, eliminated wind, solar, and electric vehicle subsidies, contributing to the rollback of Biden-era climate policies. Despite this, the AI boom is expected to spur clean energy growth in the near future.
Written by urgent.news from Axios's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
