“It took a lot of work by a lot of people to create the problem of climate change over the last centuries. And it will take our very best efforts to counter it.” – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
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Dec. 1, 2014, Hillary Clinton spoke strongly about the environment at a League of Conservation Voters event, saying, “The science of climate change is unforgiving, no matter what the deniers may say.”
- “‘Our economy still runs primarily on fossil fuels and trying to change that will take strong leadership,’ she said. But ‘we do not have to choose between a healthy environment and a healthy economy.’ Instead, she said moving to a greener economy will create jobs and help make ‘America the clean energy super-power of the 21st Century.’” [MSNBC, 12/1/14]
- “I know many of us have serious concerns with the risks associated with the rapidly expanding production of natural gas…Methane leaks in the production and transportation of natural gas pose a particularly troubling threat so it is crucial we put in place smart regulations and enforce them – including deciding not to drill when the risks to local communities, landscapes and ecosystems are just too high…If we are smart about this and put in place the right safeguards natural gas can play an important bridge role in the transition to a cleaner energy economy.” [The Guardian, 12/1/14]
- “Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters, thought Clinton hit it out of the park. ‘You saw her tonight, coming to our organization and really leaning in to this issue to make it clear how much she cares about it,’ he told reporters after her speech. ‘She’s always been committed on it, and she’s voted right very consistently, but with this audience, she’s now making whole comments and focusing on this.’” [MSNBC, 12/1/14]
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As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton looked to the future, planning for our generation and the next generation of Americans when she prioritized the fight against climate change as a matter of foreign policy.
- Secretary Clinton appointed a Special Envoy for Climate Change to serve as an advisor on international climate change policy.
- She established the Bureau of Energy Resources to address the threat of climate change posed by the world’s energy consumption.
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Secretary Clinton led the way through partnerships and developed incentives to encourage cooperation and progress toward reducing our footprint on the environment.
- Secretary Clinton helped negotiate an unprecedented agreement between all major economies to commit to curb carbon emissions through 2020.
- She launched the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, a thirty-seven country partnership that is making important strides to reduce methane emissions all over the world.
- Recognizing that dirty cookstoves kill nearly 2 million people a year and are harmful to the environment, Secretary Clinton took action and launched the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves in order to save lives and protect our planet.
- She signed an agreement with Brazil to strengthen cooperation as the U.S. and Brazil work together to meet the grave challenge of global climate change.
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In the Senate, Hillary Clinton fought to protect the environment for the next generation.
- Senator Clinton stood up to polluters and fought to promote cleaner energy, introducing bills to eliminate tax breaks for oil companies and prioritize investment in cleaner energy.
- Senator Clinton worked with Democrats and Republicans alike to promote energy efficient federal buildings and create job-training programs in clean energy.
- Hillary Clinton worked with her fellow Senators to protect and preserve some of America’s greatest natural treasures, including Niagara Falls and the Great Lakes region.