Kamala Harris vows to prosecute polluters for environmental crimes
- Kamala Harris established an environmental justice unit during her time as California's attorney general to prosecute polluters.
- Her record has been criticized for not effectively targeting major polluters, despite some successful prosecutions of lower-level offenders.
- As vice president, she has aligned with a climate-forward administration, gaining support from numerous environmental advocates, indicating her potential as a climate prosecutor.
Kamala Harris, who previously served as California's attorney general, has emphasized her commitment to prosecuting environmental crimes, particularly against major polluters. During her tenure, she established one of the first environmental justice units in the nation, which aimed to hold companies accountable for environmental violations. However, her record has faced scrutiny, as critics argue that her office did not pursue significant polluters effectively. In 2021, as vice president, she participated in the most climate-forward administration to date, advocating for a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, aligning with the Paris Agreement. This shift in focus has garnered support from over 350 environmental advocates and politicians, suggesting that her prosecutorial background may be beneficial in addressing climate issues. As she positions herself against Donald Trump, who has expressed intentions to roll back climate initiatives, Harris's approach may resonate with voters seeking a strong environmental advocate.