Climate, Rights, and Justice: What’s At Stake In The 2024 Election

Why Joe Biden's re-election is essential for Texas and beyond.

In such a pivotal time in America, with so much at stake, we should all reflect on how we cast our votes. Amidst the controversies and discussions about potential replacements at the Democratic National Convention, we need to know what has happened, where we’re going, and the best path forward.

Long-time readers know that I’ve often been critical of the Democrats in Washington, DC, and have frequently highlighted the differences between Texas and DC Democrats. There are many reasons to believe that the 2024 election may be the most critical election of our lifetime, and the path forward for society and humanity is in peril. Showing up and making the right choice in the ballot box will have repercussions for generations to come.

That’s why I believe that re-electing Joe Biden is vital for the future of Texas and our nation. Despite the challenges and criticisms, Biden’s administration has delivered significant accomplishments that have benefitted the Texans. He not only deserves to run for a second term but also has the strongest chance of winning.

Biden’s unprecedented climate action is a lifeline for Texans in the face of deregulation and environmental injustice.

If you’re in Texas and you’ve been paying attention, you probably already know that the climate crisis is at our front door.

The Biden Administration has taken more climate action than any other president. Biden’s executive orders on environmental justice address pollution and climate change impacts on disadvantaged communities in Texas.

Because of climate change, Texas has become the “Weather Battlegrounds.” And as we recently saw with Hurricane Beryl in Houston, Republicans’ deregulation schemes and neglect of infrastructure over the last 30 years have put millions of people in harm’s way.

Biden’s administration aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by midcentury and has set a target to cut US carbon pollution to half of peak levels by 2030. This goal requires annual pollution reductions nearly four times faster than the Obama administration’s targets.

The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by Biden, is the most consequential climate legislation in history. It includes sweeping investments in clean energy, cuts household energy costs, and strengthens protections against carbon pollution. It has also created over 271,000 new clean energy jobs, with projections of 1.3 million jobs by 2030.

Biden’s administration has prioritized environmental justice through an executive order and the establishment of the Office of Environmental Justice. The Justice40 Initiative aims to deliver 40% of the benefits from climate investments to disadvantaged communities.

Biden has reinvigorated U.S.-China climate diplomacy, prompting China to pledge to make absolute, economy-wide emissions reductions for the first time. The administration has strengthened the Paris Agreement and achieved a unanimous international agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, a historic milestone in global climate negotiations.

Good watch on the the coming climate collapse:

A subset of our population still refuses to believe climate change is real despite the extreme and frequent weather events. Others who are speculating may already be too late.

Because of this, it is more important to have bold leaders willing to take drastic measures to prevent a complete climate collapse.

Reversing or halting climate actions poses a threat to humanity.

If Donald Trump is re-elected, all of Biden’s climate efforts will be undone. Consistent rollbacks of environmental regulations and climate policies marked Trump’s previous tenure. We are still very much dealing with Trump’s terrible climate record today. He withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, weakened the Clean Power Plan, and promoted fossil fuel interests over renewable energy initiatives.

If Trump returns to office, he will reverse the climate progress made under Biden. This would involve withdrawing from international climate agreements, dismantling critical climate legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, and defunding environmental justice initiatives. These actions would not only stop progress but could set us back decades in the fight against climate change.

Reversing Biden’s climate actions could have catastrophic consequences. The window to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is rapidly closing. Without aggressive action, we will trigger irreversible tipping points, such as the melting of polar ice caps and the collapse of significant ecosystems, like the Amazon rainforest.

Returning to Trump-era policies will increase carbon emissions, worsen air and water quality, and cause more frequent and severe climate disasters. Texas, already experiencing the brunt of climate change, would face even more significant challenges. More intense hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and extreme heatwaves could become the norm, endangering lives and livelihoods.

The implications of reversing climate action are not limited to environmental degradation. They pose an existential threat to humanity. Climate change exacerbates food and water scarcity, fuels conflict and displacement, and increases the spread of diseases. The health and safety of future generations are at stake.

Palestine/Israel.

For many leftists, Joe Biden’s biggest disappointment has been the War on Gaza. Israel and America have been allies for decades, and this relationship has always been complicated. Many are frustrated with Biden’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, viewing it as a betrayal of the progressive values that he espouses domestically. This discontent is understandable and must be acknowledged.

The Biden administration has faced criticism for its support of Israel’s military actions, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza. This has led to protests and resignations within the administration, as well as demands from human rights groups to halt arms transfers to Israel.

As progressives and leftists, we believe in diplomacy, human rights, and protecting vulnerable populations. Our stances in the Israel-Palestine conflict remain rooted in seeking peaceful resolutions and supporting measures that prevent further suffering.

We understand the critical importance of harm reduction. In the context of the upcoming election, this means recognizing that while Biden’s administration is not perfect, it represents a commitment to minimizing suffering and working towards incremental progress.

In stark contrast, a Trump re-election would set these efforts ablaze. His policies include aggressive militarism and disregard for diplomatic solutions, which would escalate conflicts and exacerbate humanitarian crises.

Donald Trump has consistently maintained a strong pro-Israel stance, emphasizing aggressive support for Israel’s military actions against Hamas. During his presidency, Trump made significant moves such as relocating the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Trump has criticized the Biden administration for not fully supporting Israel’s military efforts. He has emphasized that Israel needs to “finish what they started” and has pulled his support of a two-state solution. Trump’s approach includes cutting off contact with Palestinian leadership and reducing humanitarian aid to Gaza, which he believes is necessary to curb terrorism.

Biden has called for a ceasefire, emphasized the need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, and pushed for more precise military actions to minimize civilian casualties. His administration has also aimed to stabilize Gaza post-conflict by proposing international peacekeeping efforts.

While some leftists feel like it hasn’t been enough, given these contrasting approaches, we must recognize the broader impact of our electoral choices. While Biden’s administration is not without criticism, particularly regarding foreign policy, the progress made in areas like climate action, social justice, and economic recovery underscores the importance of maintaining and building upon this progress. Re-electing Joe Biden will ensure continued efforts toward a more humane and balanced approach to international conflicts, aligning with our core values of peace and human dignity.

The Trump Supreme Court is already a threat to American democracy. Under Trump, it will be worse. Democrats can still fix it.

It was sheer dumb luck that Donald Trump got three Supreme Court justices picks during his term. (Plenty of speculation and conspiracy theories have surrounded Kennedy’s resignation.)

The three far-right Federalist Society picks Trump put on the Supreme Court have had devastating impacts on the American people. That includes:

• Overturning Roe v. Wade

• Chevron Deference Overturned

• Trump’s Presidential Immunity

• Voting Rights Act Weakened

• Criminalization of Houselessness

• Gun Rights Expansion

• Ending Affirmative Action

This destructive path of the current Conservative court will transform every part of your life. While the Red States, like Texas, are systematically rolling back civil rights, the Conservative Supreme Court is aiding them along and could soon send us all back to the 1950s.

It should be noted that some of Project 2025’s most unhinged policy positions arise directly from the Republican Supreme Court justices’ recent work.

The Supreme Court decisions affect everything from reproductive rights and environmental regulation to voting rights and social justice. Donald Trump’s potential re-election poses a critical threat to further entrenching these conservative policies. Trump’s re-election could lead to additional appointments to the Supreme Court, solidifying a conservative supermajority for decades.

Here are some of the rights that you stand to lose in coming years under the current court and if Trump expands it:

• Nationwide abortion bans, even in cases of rape and incest.

• Bans on IFV.

• Bans on contraceptives.

• More stringent voter ID laws.

• The closing of polling places in minority neighborhoods.

• More extreme racial gerrymandering.

• Limiting the EPA’s power.

• Striking down climate change regulations.

• Weakening of the National Environmental Policy Act.

• Repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

• Blocking Medicaid expansions.

• Limiting federal oversight of healthcare.

• Rolling back protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

• Reversing Obergefell v. Hodges.

• Limiting the scope of the Civil Rights Act.

• Upholding more restrictive right-to-work laws.

• Reducing OSHA’s ability to enforce workplace safety regulations.

• Ending DACA Protections.

• Upholding restrictions on asylum seekers.

• Allowing the expansion of school voucher programs.

• Weakening the separation of church and state.

You may think that even if Biden is re-elected, we are still dealing with an out-of-control Supreme Court, which many call a rogue court.

Recently, we’ve seen Democrats take the following measures regarding the Supreme Court.

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced articles of impeachment against Clarence Thomas Samuel Alito.

While Democrats lack the numbers in the 118th Congress to achieve this, giving Biden a win would also secure a majority Congress for him, and we may see movement next year.

Several other Democrats are pushing bills that regard ethics reform, transparency, and accountability. When Democrats take back Congress next year, they will still need the president’s signature even if they can pass these bills. Joe Biden would enact these bills into law. Donald Trump would not.

The 2024 election is not just about choosing a president.

The 2024 election is about determining the direction of our nation for generations to come. The stakes are higher than ever, with fundamental rights and protections hanging in the balance. Joe Biden’s administration has made significant strides in climate action, social justice, and economic recovery, but these gains are fragile and could be reversed if Donald Trump returns to office.

Re-electing Joe Biden is crucial for maintaining and building upon our progress. It ensures continued efforts to address the climate crisis, protect reproductive rights, safeguard voting rights, and advance social justice.

Conversely, a Trump re-election would likely lead to the dismantling of critical foundations and the entrenchment of conservative policies that could set us back decades. The Supreme Court, already leaning heavily conservative, could see further appointments under Trump. He would reverse all climate action, and he would aid Israel in the complete destruction of Palestine.

Our choices in the 2024 election will shape the future of our democracy, our environment, and our society. We all must reflect on the implications of our vote and choose a path that prioritizes progress, justice, and the well-being of all citizens. Re-electing Joe Biden and securing a Democratic majority in Congress is essential to ensuring a more equitable, sustainable, and just future for Texas and the entire nation.

Vote early, vote often, just vote.

• July 20: First day for write-in candidates to declare their candidacy.

• August 19: Last day for write-in candidates to declare their candidacy.

• October 7: Last day to register to vote.

• October 21: First day to early vote.

• October 25: Last day to apply for a mail-in ballot.

• November 1: Last day to early vote.

• November 5: Election day!

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