Shouldn’t all elected officials work for a healthy planet? By Julie Peller Ph.D.

Green Junction

People often feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the environmental and human health problems that we now face. Those who care ask what can be done. I often write about what individuals and groups can do, but larger collective actions are also required. A very important individual action is to vote for elected officials who support legislation (collective actions) that protects human health and the environment and repairs environmental damage. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970 by a Republican President, but according to voting records, decisions and platforms, environmental and human health protections are mostly not supported by this party in the present day.

The League of Conservation of Voters created an environmental scorecard in 2023, deemed the year of unprecedented global heat, to evaluate voting records related to environmental protections and clean energy by elected officials serving in the federal government. It scored “36 House votes and 16 Senate votes on crucial issues including climate change, environmental and racial justice, clean energy, democracy, public health and more.” A score of 100% indicates votes in favor of the environment and health. The two Democratic congressional representatives from Indiana voted 100%, four Republicans scored 0%, meaning they never voted for legislation to protect or improve the environment, and the other three Republicans scored 3% or 11%. The two Republican senators scored 6%. Other data show that legislative votes often align with interests of wealthy donors, such as the fossil fuel industry. According to Statistica, this industry has donated $33 million to the Republican party candidates this year and $4 million to Democratic candidates.

The two major US presidential candidates’ views of climate change are starkly different. The Republican presidential candidate often describes climate change as a hoax. Here is one of many quotes that shows his lack of understanding of the science: “When people talk about global warming, I say the ocean is going to go down 100th of an inch within the next 400 years. That’s not our problem.” (Source: Economic Times, 2024) As president, he rolled back more than 125 rules and policies that protect the environment and lower planet-warming emissions. Since the United States makes up about 4% of the world’s population but uses about 16% of the world’s energy, leadership in clean energy and efforts to address climate change is imperative. 

The Biden administration passed the most significant legislation to address climate change (the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and much more). Programs have been created for the first time in a meaningful way to reduce environmental injustices. The previous administration pulled out of the international Paris Climate Agreement, and this mistake was corrected by President Biden on day one. As a scientist, I frequently communicate my dismay that environmental and human health issues have become politicized. This is wrong and a disservice to younger and future generations. Shouldn’t all elected officials work on behalf of clean air, water, soil and a healthy planet? Since this is not the case, your vote is important when it comes to caring for creation and ensuring a healthy, livable planet for all.

Julie Peller, Ph.D., is an environmental chemist (Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University). She has been writing a weekly column called The Green Junction for the past seven years and is helping to move the call of Laudato Si to action forward. Her Research Interests are advanced oxidation for aqueous solutions, water quality analyses, emerging contaminants, air quality analyses, Lake Michigan shoreline challenges (Cladophora, water, and sediment contaminants), and student and citizen participation in environmental work.