Washington, DC — Following the release of his climate plan last week, Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg has debuted in thirteenth place with a “D+” grade in Greenpeace’s 2020 climate scorecard [1]. While his plan includes important promises to achieve 100 percent clean electricity, end fossil fuel subsidies, and invest in communities impacted by coal pollution, it lacks detailed targets and fails to set an agenda for phasing out the fossil fuel industry.
Greenpeace USA Senior Climate Campaigner Jack Shapiro said:
“Mayor Bloomberg’s current climate proposal simply has too many holes to be taken seriously. The stakes of this election for the climate crisis are too high for empty rhetoric. We expect every Democratic candidate for president to put out a detailed plan for phasing out oil, gas, and coal production and delivering a Green New Deal that supports workers and communities. Anything less is an injustice to the communities in the US and around the world who are already suffering the impacts of the climate crisis.
“Based on his priorities both as Mayor of New York City and as a philanthropist, we expect to see more plans for climate action coming from the Bloomberg campaign. With just weeks until the first votes are cast, he must release them quickly to have any real credibility on climate in the 2020 race.”
The new top 10 in Greenpeace’s 2020 climate ranking is:
1. Bernie Sanders: A+ (94/100)
2. Elizabeth Warren: A (87/100)
3. Tom Steyer: A- (84/100)
4. Cory Booker: A- (83.5/100)
5. (tie) Joe Biden: B+ (72/100)
5. (tie) Julian Castro: B+ (72/100)
7. Tulsi Gabbard: B (69.5/100)
8. Pete Buttigieg: B (67.5/100)
9. Marianne Williamson: B (64/100)
10. Amy Klobuchar: C+ (52.5/100)
Donald Trump remains in last place with zero out of a possible 100 points.
Additional changes in this update to the Greenpeace 2020 climate scorecard include Elizabeth Warren increasing her grade to an “A” and gaining ground on ranking leader Bernie Sanders following the release of her Blue New Deal plan. Kamala Harris and Steve Bullock were removed from the ranking after dropping out of the race.
ENDS
Notes:
[1] The interactive candidate scorecard is available here, a detailed breakdown by candidate is available here, and the scoring methodology is available here.
[2] To maintain independence, Greenpeace USA does not endorse or oppose any political party, candidate, or elected official. We work to hold all candidates for office to the standard that science says is necessary to avert climate crisis, which means supporting a Green New Deal and ending fossil fuels.
Contact: Ryan Schleeter, Senior Communications Specialist, Greenpeace USA: +1 (415) 342-2386, [email protected]
