Climate Change Is the Only Thing on This 2020 Candidate’s Mind (HBO)

For Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, the Democratic campaign trail is best described as a mix of serious climate policy discussion — and dad jokes. Sometimes it’s both.

“When there is increased flooding due to climate change, that's a problem. But when it shuts down a brewery — that's a national crisis,” Inslee told Tim Baldwin, the owner of Front Street Brewery, in Davenport, Iowa. The Brewery was damaged during a devastating flood at the end of April.

Joke aside, Inslee’s campaign strategy essentially boils down to branding himself as the climate change candidate. And for Inslee, that makes sense. He says he cares about climate change, and he’s got the receipts to prove it.

In 2007, Inslee published a book called “Apollo’s Fire,” which discussed a plan that’s similar to the Green New Deal, the current economic strategy backed by most Democrats to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Ten years later, Inslee co-founded the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of American governors who want to stick to the Paris Agreement goals. As governor of Washington, Inslee failed to pass a carbon tax in 2018, but this year, he signed a green energy bill — and even a human composting bill. And now he’s released the most extensive climate plan of any of the current Democratic candidates.

VICE News spent two days on the campaign trail with Inslee as he spoke to victims of the flood in Iowa and travelled to Washington, D.C., to announce his climate-focused jobs plan at a wastewater treatment plant.

Follow VICE News here:

[chrisbacos]

Jay Inslee has good ideas on the climate but he also needs to broaden his campaign with other issues.

[MrLoobu]

The people cannot take the brunt of the prohibition on fossil fuels, they have nothing left. The companies and corporations who caused the crisis, and stole the wealth generated, should bear that burden.

[darioguerra]

I just ended my internship at the firm that worked on his gubernatorial campaigns

[gillowens]

Thank god someone is Stand for climate change

[ricohorton]

Tax tax tax. That's Jay Inslee. 💩💩💩

[mary._.yamborghini]

dude got his whole business/livelihood destroyed but doubts climate change

[Wapow]

“We need a new president to get a national plan!...I’m up to that job..actually haha”

Real smooth bro

[HiAdrian]

If he were running on renewables he might stand a better chance.

[madelynhee]

Mmmmmno. sir Bernie Sanders has been focusing on climate change as well. But I like this guy. Evergreen economy sounds great.

[John_Nada_]

Meet the YouTube channel that is running exclusively on leftist talking points.

[MaureenMurphy]

Whether he wins or not, climate change is a HUGE issue and we all need to take it seriously. We need to use less of our resources, turn the heat down. Turn the air conditioner down. Carpool, take the bus.walk.

[ellie_]

He took a flight to go and speak about climate change policies ....

[resurrectiongarage]

Proof again this will be an
Easy win for Trump

[whatitisnt]

it is too late, they should of started 50 years ago

[elchapojunior]

If Republicans were normal people that actually accepted facts like climate change I could possibly consider voting for one

[nuance]

Finally
This is the only candidate who has the existential threat to Humans as his #1?

[VeganDefinition]

I like this guys plan, and climate change should be the main focus for all of these political idiots out here. But he's basically just trying to draw attention to himself...

[jasonmacaro]

Meet the Democratic canidate that is going to lose

[aoflex]

Yes, keep dividing, dems. The more candidates, the more losers next election.

TRUMP 2020

[swimswithwhales]

I love our Governor, but I'm not voting for him in 2020.