Bloomberg, Avowed Climate Champion, Defends Fossil Fuel In His 1st Debate

"The former GOP mayor of New York City pitched rejoining the Paris Agreement and repeated a debunked claim that he’s to thank for closing coal plants."

"Billionaire Michael Bloomberg tied his late entry to the Democratic presidential primary in large part to his reputation as a deep-pocketed philanthropist who supports environmental groups seeking to curb climate change.

Yet at his first debate as a 2020 presidential candidate on Wednesday night, the former New York City mayor defended fossil fuels and pitched what’s widely considered the lowest baseline for any federal response to global warming.

“If you’re president, the first thing you do the first day is rejoin the Paris Agreement,” Bloomberg said."

Alexander C. Kaufman reports for HuffPost February 20, 2020.

SEE ALSO:

"How Climate Fared In The Sharpest Debate Yet" (ClimateWire)

"AP FACT CHECK: Examining Claims From The Democratic Debate" (AP)

"Democratic Candidates Engage In Lengthy Debate Over Climate Change" (The Hill)

"Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate Climate-Change Policy And Fracking" (YouTube)

"For Many Nevada Latino Voters, Action on Climate Change is Key" (InsideClimate News)

"Where 2020 Democrats Stand On Climate Change" (Washington Post)

"Climate Change Rises as a Public Priority. But It’s More Partisan Than Ever." (New York Times)

"Al Gore Launches New Voter Registration Effort With Climate Reality Action Fund" (The Hill)

Source: HuffPost, 02/20/2020