By Valerie Volcovici
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Green groups are divided over whether President Joe Biden should step aside for a new Democrat in the U.S. elections. Some worry that his weakening poll numbers against fossil fuel booster Donald Trump could hamper turnout and jeopardize his climate victories.
Biden, 81, is under pressure and scrutiny from some lawmakers, donors and activists to abandon his re-election campaign in the wake of a disastrous presidential debate this month that renewed questions about his mental fitness.
Environmental groups are concerned about a possible second Trump administration after his 2017-2021 term saw a major rollback of environmental regulations and restrictions on oil drilling, plus withdrawal from an international pact.
A second Trump presidency would almost certainly seek to erase many of Biden’s climate policy victories, including rolling back regulations on large vehicles and power plants and repealing or weakening key parts of the current administration’s signature climate law , the Inflation Reduction Act, according to his campaign speeches. policy agenda.
Of the eight national environmental groups contacted by Reuters, two want Biden to step aside, one wants him to stay, and the rest were undecided or declined to comment.
“Joe Biden’s inability to campaign coherently and articulate an alternative to the far right will result in lower turnout among potential Democratic voters faced with the choice between two old white men clinging to power,” says Evan Drukker -Schardl, organizer of Climate Defiance.
MUTE RISE
Climate Defiance, which has disrupted events in which Democratic and Republican officials and lawmakers protested weak climate policies and fossil fuel production, plans to blockade the Democratic National Committee headquarters Friday as they plan a roll call vote to confirm their presidential name list.
Youth climate group Sunrise Movement has now called on Biden to “pass the torch”.
“After speaking to young people across the country in recent weeks, I am concerned that Joe Biden is not in a position to mobilize young people and win in November,” said Sunrise CEO Aru Shiney-Ajay.
Friends of the Earth Action said it welcomed “the public discourse surrounding Biden’s electability” and was still weighing an endorsement.
Meanwhile, the Sierra Club said last week it would stick with Biden. “No president in history has taken more action on climate than Joe Biden,” said President Ben Jealous. “We will work tirelessly to re-elect President Biden in November.”
Natural Resources Defense Council Action declined to comment, while the League of Conservation Voters and EDF (EPA:) Action did not respond to requests for comment.
Third Act, an organization of seniors and retirees led by climate activist Bill McKibben, who was influential in pushing Biden to halt LNG exports, has also not taken a position. McKibben did not respond to a request for comment.
