Tipsheet

Tom Steyer Explains Why Climate Change Is His 'Number One Priority'

Billionaire Tom Steyer took a jab at former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) for failing to make climate change their number one legislative priority. He argued that he is the only one who has a record on this hot topic issue.

"I'm the only person on this stage who will say climate [change] is the number one priority for me. Vice President Biden won't say it. Sen. Warren won't say it. It's a state of emergency and I would declare a state of emergency on day one," Steyer said. "I would use the emergency powers of the presidency."

The billionaire touted his record fighting climate change, saying he has "spent a decade fighting oil and tech companies, stopping pipelines, stopping fossil fuel plants, ensuring clean energy across the country."

"I know that we have to do this and I know that we can do this," Steyer explained. "I would make this the number one priority of my foreign policy as well."

According to Steyer, under his presidency, climate change can be tackled while "creating literally millions of good-paying union jobs across this country." 

He argued that those who should have the biggest say are those in areas "where this society has chosen where to put our air and water pollution, which are low-income black and brown communities."

Steyer said it's possible to bring people together by "taking on the biggest challenge in history, we save the world and we do it together."

"Do you think that would pull America together?" he asked. "I do."