Portrait of JD Vance
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JD Vance on Climate Change

Climate skeptic (strong)

JD Vance's views on climate change have undergone a notable transformation, moving from an early recognition of the problem to his current position of skepticism. Initially, during a 2020 speech, Vance acknowledged that society has a climate problem, which he largely attributed to emissions from China and criticized the slow progress in cleaner energy generation. As he pursued his Senate campaign, however, his rhetoric shifted to align with the Republican Party, expressing skepticism about the climate crisis and suggesting environmental concerns are sometimes manufactured to please Democratic donors. Currently, as Vice President, Vance champions an aggressive expansion of fossil fuel production, including fracking, and advocates for re-shoring energy and manufacturing, arguing the U.S. economy is already the cleanest. He supports deregulation as the solution, believing the free market will naturally determine the best energy sources, rather than government-imposed environmental regulations. Vance has openly dismissed the scientific consensus on human-caused warming, famously referring to climate science as “weird science” during the 2024 vice-presidential debate. His current environmental policy preference is to “unleash our energy industry” by removing regulations, even while simultaneously claiming to support clean air and clean water.

Context

JD Vance's position on climate change is deeply intertwined with his broader national conservative and economic populist platform. As a politician representing an area reliant on industrial and energy sectors, his views reflect a priority placed on domestic energy independence and job protection over environmental regulation. His shift in tone aligns with a trend among some Republican figures to question or downplay the urgency of the climate crisis, especially as it relates to policies that could impact the fossil fuel industry.

Timeline

  1. Acknowledged having a 'climate problem' and suggested solar as part of the solution, while blaming China for emissions.
  2. Expressed skepticism about the idea that climate change is caused purely by man.
  3. Advocated for hydraulic fracking to 'unleash' Ohio's natural gas resources in an op-ed.
  4. Dismissed climate science as 'weird science' during the vice-presidential debate.

Actions Taken

  1. Legislation
    Co-sponsored bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing rail derailments, shortly after the East Palestine disaster, though the bill did not pass.
  2. Voting Record
    Voted against raising the debt ceiling, stating the resulting fiscal constraints could lead to a 'reduced military in the face of a rising threat from China,' indirectly impacting spending priorities that could include climate-related investments.

Key Quotes

We, of course, have a climate problem in our society.

Speech at Ohio State University January 1, 2020 — Stating his position on the climate crisis during an early speech.

Let's just say that's true, just for the sake of argument, so we're not arguing about weird science.

Vice Presidential Debate October 1, 2024 — Referring to the idea that carbon emissions drive climate change.

We're the cleanest economy in the entire world.

Vice Presidential Debate September 1, 2024 — Stating his view on U.S. environmental performance during a debate.

Related Positions

  • energy-policy Vance advocates for deregulation and an aggressive expansion of domestic fossil fuel production, including hydraulic fracking, as central to his energy platform.
  • us-manufacturing He argues that re-shoring manufacturing will lead to cleaner energy production than reliance on foreign-made components like Chinese electric vehicles.

Criticism

Norah O'Donnell

Fact-checked Vance's debate comment by stating that the 'overwhelming consensus among scientists is that the Earth's climate is warming at an unprecedented rate.'

Journalists/Analysts

Noted that his shift to an anti-clean energy stance coincided with receiving substantial financial support from the oil and gas industry for his Senate campaign.