first vice-presidential debate The heat grew heated between Democratic Governor Tim Walz, 60, and Republican Senator JD Vance, 40, as the candidates tackled climate change, disaster response and their differing visions for America’s future. There was a debate during this Hurricane Helen devastated parts of AmericaIn which at least 130 people were killed and hundreds went missing.
Vance: Focus on restoring energy production and jobs
Ohio Senator JD VanceDonald Trump’s running mate expressed deep sympathy for the victims of Hurricane Helen. “This is an incredible, unspeakable human tragedy,” Vance said during the debate on CBS News.
He stressed the need for a strong federal response and promised that a future Trump administration would put “citizens first” in disaster situations.
Turning to climate change, Vance said, “donald trump And I support clean air, clean water. We want the environment to be clean and safe.”
He questioned the focus on carbon emissions, arguing instead for revitalizing American manufacturing and energy production, claiming that the US has “the cleanest economy in the entire world”.
“If you really care about clean air and clean water, you invest in American workers and American energy,” Vance said, criticizing Kamala Harris for policies in which she moved manufacturing to dirty countries like China. Had claimed to transfer in.
He also called for increased investment in natural gas and nuclear power, saying, “I think we haven’t built a single nuclear facility in the last 40 years.”
Walz: Addressing climate change through jobs and innovation
Minnesota Governor Tim WalzKamala Harris’s vice presidential candidacy echoed Vance’s concern for hurricane victims. “This is a terrible tragedy,” he said, emphasizing bipartisan efforts among governors to provide emergency management.
However, Walz took a different stance on climate change, calling it an undeniable crisis that is worsened by extreme weather patterns.
“It doesn’t have any message [hurricane Helene] It roared onto the scene, faster and more forcefully than anything we’ve ever seen, Walz said.
He pointed towards Joe Biden-kamala harris The administration’s investments in clean energy through the Inflation Reduction Act, which have created “200,000 jobs nationwide”, including 2,000 in Jeffersonville, Ohio, and North America’s largest solar manufacturing plant, located in Minnesota.
“My farmers know climate change is real,” Walz said, referencing extreme weather in Minnesota. “They have seen 500-year drought, 500-year flood one after the other. But what they’re doing is adapting.”
Walz argued that the US is becoming an “energy superpower” by focusing on both clean energy and fossil fuels, emphasizing that natural gas and oil production has reached record levels under the Biden-Harris administration.
Vance and Walz: Different visions for America’s future
As the debate progressed, the candidates’ contrasting views on climate action became clear.
Vance criticized Harris for relying on solar panels made in China, saying, “If you’re spending hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars of American taxpayers’ money on solar panels made in China, you’re hurting the economy.” Going to make it even dirtier.”
He reiterated the need for more American-made energy solutions.
Walz highlighted the administration’s success in clean energy job creation, emphasizing smart investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and reducing environmental damage.
“Our number one export can’t be topsoil from erosion from these big storms,” he said, adding that climate change is real to both scientists and everyday Americans.
In form of America is going to the polls on November 5Climate change and energy policy are likely to remain important topics for voters.