Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called climate change “the most consequential, urgent, sweeping collection of challenges we face.” But as she seeks the Democratic nomination for president, green activists are looking for a stronger commitment to control the fossil fuel production at the heart of the problem.
“If you want to stop carbon pollution, keep carbon in the ground,” said 350 Action organizer Duncan Meisel, during a small rally outside Clinton’s Brooklyn, NY campaign office. Activists are concerned that Clinton embraces both carbon cuts and fossil fuel increases, and was inclined to approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline before an environmental impact statement had been completed.
Keystone “is just one of the many reservations some environmental activists have about Clinton’s past record and current positions,” grist.org reports. “In interviews, they also complain that she promoted fracking abroad as secretary of state, she has ties to Big Oil, and she favours pro-corporate trade agreements.”
“This cash connection between the Clintons with natural gas and Big Oil is sincerely troubling,” said Bill Snape, of the Center for Biological Diversity. Last week, Adler writes, a coalition of more than 100 environmental and local anti-fracking groups urged Clinton to “acknowledge the inherent dangers in shale development and stand with us.”
