The 2024 Elections: A Climate Change Tragedy or Comedy?

Explore how the 2024 American elections could dictate the future of climate change efforts. Will it be a tragedy or a comedy for our planet?

Credits to Chappatte in Le Temps

In 2024, democracy hits a global high, with over half the world's population heading to the polls. From the rice fields of Indonesia to the tea terraces of India. From the bustling streets of the EU to the star-spangled banners of the United States and Britain. It's election fever everywhere.

These nations are collectively responsible for a large portion of our planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. So what? These elections are a climate change blockbuster. As always, it holds the Spider-Man principle: with great power comes great responsibility.

Here's the deal: the US, historically the largest CO2 emitter, is gearing up for a showdown. It's "Sleepy Joe" versus "The Donald" in a political sequel that promises more drama than a Netflix series. The stakes? Our planet's future.

Under Biden's watch, the US took some green steps forward—passing beefy climate laws and flirting with clean energy. But then came a plot twist: a surge in oil production, thanks to those pesky rising fuel prices. If Trump makes a comeback, we might see a rewind of environmental progress, like ditching the Paris Agreement and saying "yes" to more drilling.

Act One: The Great LNG Export Unpause

Trump's encore could kick off with cutting Biden's LNG export break short. While Biden hit the pause button, citing environmental worries, Trump's likely to hit play, boosting LNG exports faster than you can say "global warming."

Act Two: The Methane Fee Fiasco

Next up, Trump might ax the Environmental Protection Agency’s methane fee, a plan to make oil and gas moguls pay up for their emissions. Industry folks aren't fans, fearing for their wallets. Under Trump, this green initiative could vanish into thin air (or, more accurately, thick air).

Act Three: Drill, Baby, Drill Redux

Biden's less-is-more approach to oil and gas leases could see a Trump turnaround, transforming "not in my backyard" into "drill in every backyard." It's back to the future with more offshore drilling and perhaps a garage sale of federal lands for fossil fuel fun.

Act Four: Paris, Je T'aime Not

Trump's promised rerun includes leaving the Paris Agreement in the dust, again.  In, out, in, and out again. This move would make the US the climate action party pooper, turning its back on international efforts to curb the warming planet.

Act Five: Electric Vehicle Slowdown

And for the finale, Trump could put the brakes on pushing carmakers to go electric, keeping the gas guzzlers in the fast lane and the electric dreams in the garage.

And... Cut!

So, what's the moral of this story? The 2024 elections are more than just a political circus: they're a critical crossroads for climate policy. The script's still being written, and the ending could be a tragedy or a triumph for the planet.

As the curtain falls on this election drama, remember: the planet's future might just hinge on the ballot box. It's a global tale of action, suspense, and hopefully, a happy ending for Earth.