DNC Environmental Topics BINGO: What To Watch

By: Scott Segal

Many on the left of the Democratic Party’s political base believe that environmental topics including climate change have for too long wandered in the political wilderness – briefly mentioned, never prioritized, and then not acted upon in any comprehensive fashion.  As soon as this week’s DNC, these groups will be looking for signs that that’s all about to change, including:

1. Prime time discussion of climate change policy, clean energy, and environmental justice.  Many in the Democratic base are looking for reference to concrete proposals, compliance dates, and enforcement.
2. Commitment to address energy and environmental topics early in the first term – with major executive action in the first hundred days and legislative activity within the first year.
3. Acknowledgement that the pandemic is not a barrier to action, but rather an opportunity to address broad sweeping changes in government policy to encourage green development – in Joe Biden’s words, to “Build Back Better.”
4. Significant environmental “product placement” in the Biden and Harris speeches.
5. Clear and unmistakable lines that separate the Trump Administration (and perhaps even the Obama Administration) from what will follow.  They seek signs that the campaign will be in part framed around environmental issues, so that a Biden-Harris victory will create political capital that can be spent advancing environmental causes.

If the DNC runs the decks on these issues, the environmental community won’t be upset.  Failure in meeting these expectations will lead to griping.  But in no event do we anticipate full-throated shouts of joy from the environmental community; it’s really not their style.