As someone who has been engaged as a Christian in climate action for over 30 years I am very pleased that Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) as her running mate. That’s because Gov. Walz has one of the strongest climate records of any governor in our nation’s history.
I don’t know if anyone would have predicted this when he was first elected governor in 2018. He didn’t run featuring climate as a top concern. And during his years as a congressman he was supportive but not a champion.
But as Governor, Walz became acutely aware of the increasing impacts of climate change on his state, such as:
extreme drought forcing farmers to liquidate their cattle much sooner;
health impacts like dangerous air pollution from wildfires from Canada and expanded tick ranges;
economic losses from a lack of ice-fishing and cross-country skiing.
As a former linebackers football coach, Gov. Walz is not one to stand around when he sees a threat that must be tackled. And so he got to work. His administration joined forces with stakeholders and put together a plan of action, a game plan that he has been busy turning into reality.
Gov. Walz has worked with the legislature to pass over 40 climate initiatives, including:
a requirement that 100% of electricity be carbon-free by 2040, the strongest standard in the country;
a streamlined permitting process for clean electricity that cuts the time in half;
$2 billion in incentives to spur climate action, such as rooftop solar purchases by families and schools, heat pumps, EVs, electric school buses;
more EV charging stations, and;
worker training and apprenticeship programs.
And what do strong climate policies need to deliver? As a Union guy Gov. Walz has a very simple answer: good-paying jobs.
Given that Vice President Harris is such a strong climate champion, what we have with Harris-Walz is a climate action dynamic duo!
So let’s work hard to get Harris-Walz elected and help secure a brighter climate future for ourselves, our children, and their children.
The Rev. Jim Ball
Founder and Chair
Evangelicals For Harris