The major political parties’ presumptive presidential nominees Trump and Biden have put their environmental platforms center stage as we begin the two-week stretch of national conventions.

The Democrats are up first starting today, August 17. Former Vice President Joe Biden rolls in fresh from his formal endorsement by the Sierra Club’s campaign arm. He adds that official backing to complete his sweep of the national mainstream environmental groups which make candidate endorsements, including the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund.

Biden further cemented his public embrace of climate action and environmental justice last week with his announcement that Sen. Kamala Harris would join his ticket as running mate. During her tenure in the U.S. Senate, Harris has made environmental justice one of her focus points.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump doubled down on his aggressive support for fossil fuels and ripping up every environmental protection in reach. His administration just last week announced its final decision to repeal the Obama-era rule limiting methane releases from oil and gas fields.

Today, the administration announced its final plan to start oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) next year. Broadly unpopular with the American public, drilling in ANWR is a long-time priority for some Republicans and fossil fuel profiteers. Like many other environmental matters, the fate of America’s largest and most pristine wildlife refuge is now explicitly on the line in this election.

When his party’s convention begins next Monday, August 24, we expect Trump to continue to point with enthusiasm toward his love for fossil fuels and his fervor for environmental deregulation. 

Polls continually show Americans are giving the green light to climate action and environmental justice, and want to hit the brakes on Trump’s anti-environmental message.