New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker drew the short (paper) straw and was the tenth and final candidate to take the stage in CNN’s marathon, seven-hour presidential town hall on the climate crisis. Don Lemon thanked the crowd for their endurance, and CNN for hosting the historic event. Asked what he’d do first if elected, Booker vowed to make the climate crisis a part of every aspect of his policies, using the power of the pen when needed, all along the way to getting the nation to net zero emissions by 2030.
Next, a registered nurse took the mic, and revealed he lost his home in Superstorm Sandy, noting that such storms, which he called “unnatural disasters,” were more frequent. His question for Booker? How do you prepare people for such horrific events? Booker acknowledged that he was the mayor of Newark during Sandy and saw its devastation firsthand. He vowed investments in emergency preparedness, including permanent funds, so that people don’t have to navigate Washington, D.C. to get help in their worst times.
Next, Lemon asked if coastal communities will be forced inland by rising sea levels. Booker leaned toward resiliency investments over permanent evacuation.
A Columbia University student from Iowa, she noted that Booker’s climate plan focuses on people of color and environmental racism in urban areas, and wanted to know how his plan will support Midwesterners and the agricultural industries. Booker acknowledged how important the Midwest is to the fabric of the nation, and vowed to incentivize best practices for farmers, getting a solid cheer upon mentioning cover crops.
Lemon next brought up Booker’s veganism, and challenged his previous promise to not force his eating habits on others, before asking the vegan version of the “cheeseburger” question, i.e., will his administration promote diet programs led by climate chance. Booker shook off the “vegan evangelism” implication, before blasting corporate farms who he said have brought back sharecropping and who are massive polluters. Eat what you want, he said, before noting the proliferation of food deserts are the real problem—a problem he will address.
Lemon then brought up the dangers of nuclear waste, and asked Booker’s plan for them. The Senator explained his personal connection to the issue, and how that drove his education on nuclear energy. Citing his history as a Stanford football player and his competitive spirit, Booker said that a competitive culture can drive R&D so “America can win.”
Next, a member of the New York Young Democrats asked Booker how he would activate and energize climate change skeptics. Booker insisted that most Republicans are on board, but the GOP is the only major political party in the world whose leadership is fighting these effort, namely Congressional Republicans. It’s a matter of culture as much as politics, Booker said, citing the increased awareness that activists have brought.
Next, Lemon asked if Booker would ban offshore drilling. Yes, he said without hesitation, then moved onto fracking before Lemon could, saying he would ban it and “when they drill, they spill.”
Bill Weir, CNN Chief Climate Correspondent, brought up the Amazon rainforest fires, and asked how an American president can work with other nations to save vital resources where the U.S. has no jurisdiction. Booker brought up an initiative that he wants to renew, the U.S. Civilian Corps. He vowed to “clean up our own house first” and lead by example. He also took a moment to ridicule applause given for candidates vowing to re-join the Paris Climate Accord, saying that should be the “cost of entry” for running for president. When asked if he’d take military action, Booker almost laughed as he dismissed the idea; instead, he vowed that labor and climate must be at the forefront of any trade agreement.
A Rutgers professor and climate scientist took the mic next, and asked for Booker’s thoughts on climate intervention through geo-engineering. Booker admitted that he’d listened to preceding candidates discuss the concept, but didn’t know much about it himself. That being said, Booker said he supported R&D, then promised the professor that he’d read up on the subject beyond what he’s learned from “Star Trek.”
And with that, the epic, first of its kind presidential town hall on climate change was over; Lemon announced the next in their series, which will focus on LGBTQ+ issues, coming up in October.
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Read more about each candidate’s Climate Change town hall through the links below.
Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro
Businessman Andrew Yang
California Sen. Kamala Harris
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Former Vice President Joe Biden
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke