‘We need a climate debate:’ Youth petition pressures 2020 presidential democratic candidates to address the ecological crisis

We want all the candidates to commit to participating in a debate or forum on environmental issues and policies so we can hear detailed ideas and plans.

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Presidential candidates are up against a new petition pressuring them to address the ecological crisis by holding a climate-specific debate. The widespread grassroots pressure, led by the United States Youth Climate Strike team, created a petition that garnered more than 30,000 signatures in 48 hours.

The petition currently has 32,559 signatures with a new goal of 40,000 signatures.

The petition is to “ensure environmental issues from climate change, access to clean water, environmental racism, and everything in between that are disproportionately impacting people of color and working class folks are given the serious attention they deserve.”

“Let’s be sure we hear how candidates plan to stop companies accountable for polluting our water and air and what they think about opening up federal land to fracking, drilling, and trophy hunting.”

The petition will be “delivered to 2020 Democratic presidential candidates and the Democratic National Committee,” Common Dreams reported.

In a crowded field of democratic potentials, the youth-led grassroots movements is pressuring the DNC to make presidential candidates offer detailed solutions to the climate crisis and debate on environmental policies. Since climate change was a single question during the 2016 presidential debate and scientists are urging “rapid and drastic action” to address the climate crisis, the youth is turning up the pressure and demanding a climate debate.

“We want all the candidates to commit to participating in a debate or forum on environmental issues and policies so we can hear detailed ideas and plans.”

For more information or to sign the petition, click here.

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