News Tip: Duke Climate Expert Hopes Democrats Address These Issues in Sept. 4 Town Hall

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, Democratic candidates will participate in a town hall discussion about climate change. Duke earth sciences professor Drew Shindell, lead author on the UN’s 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, describes the issues he hopes the candidates address.

Quotes:

“I'd be looking for the candidates to say they'll end coal by 2030; they'll invest heavily in fast charging stations, including along the federal interstate system; they'd aim for 100% zero carbon electricity by 2040; and they would support campaign finance reform and not take fossil fuel money.”

“I'd also be hoping they could present an optimistic message about how actions to mitigate climate change will lead to better health, especially for children and the elderly; to our crops growing better; to rural areas seeing new jobs; to cities being quieter and less polluted (especially in the poorest areas that have the worst conditions currently); and to energy being cheaper and less of a burden on the poorest.”

• Bio: Drew Shindell, professor of earth science at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, researches how climate emissions and air pollution affect human health and food security globally. He has testified before Congress and chairs the science advisory panel to the international Climate and Clean Air Coalition. He was lead author on the UN’s 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.
  https://nicholas.duke.edu/people/faculty/shindell
   
• For additional comment, contact Shindell at: drew.shindell@duke.edu.