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Tim Walz on Climate, Food, and Public Health

Tim Walz, announced as Vice-President Kamala Harris’s running mate on Tuesday, August 6, is now making his way to a household name. The Minnesota governor is well-known as a climate champion in green advocacy circles. His robust policies on climate, food, and public health are poised to bring significant attention to these critical issues.

Tim Walz with Preeta Sinha, Founder One Green Planet — Tim Walz with Preeta Sinha, Founder of One Green Planet at the Kamala Harris’ Running Mate Launch Rally in Philadelphia, PA on August 6, 2024.

Walz has forged a robust climate record during his two gubernatorial terms. He signed one of the strongest green energy bills into law, requiring Minnesota to eliminate carbon from its electricity generation by 2040, achieving 100% of its utilities from carbon-free sources. This ambitious law showcases the kind of forward-thinking leadership needed to address the worsening climate crisis.

In collaboration with Minnesota Democrats, Walz passed dozens of other green policies. He signed a bill to streamline energy permitting, funded clean energy career training, and allocated $2 billion to natural resources, climate, and energy projects. In 2019, he formed a climate crisis sub-cabinet and advisory board, unveiling a plan to halve emissions by 2030 and boost electric car usage to 20% by 2030.

Walz’s leadership extends to boosting mass transit, such as championing a new Amtrak rail line between the Twin Cities and Chicago, which came online in May. His administration also tackled planet-heating Pollution from the building sector by updating commercial building codes and energy efficiency rules, lowering utility costs for low-income households. Furthermore, Walz addressed Pollution from per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by signing one of the nation’s broadest bans on these “forever chemicals.” His 2022 budget prioritized Environmental justice, investing $200 million in clean water and wastewater projects and $240 million in lead pipe replacement.

Time magazine called Walz one of the “country’s most skillful climate communicators” for his ability to tie green policies to economic development and job creation. This broad appeal has garnered Support from progressive and conservative figures alike.

Food policy is another central part of Walz’s platform. In 2023, he signed a landmark bill providing free lunch to all Minnesota students, making Minnesota one of only eight states with a universal free lunch program. This program eliminates economic criteria, ensuring all students have access to hot meals regardless of their parent’s ability to pay. The initiative has decreased food insecurity among children and improved meal quality in schools, allowing kitchen workers to prepare meals from scratch with locally grown produce.

Walz also addressed “lunch shaming” by signing a bill requiring schools to offer the same free lunch to all students, regardless of their ability to pay. His administration secured a $200 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the EPA to Support the Minnesota Climate-Smart Food Systems project. This grant will restore Minnesota peatlands, replace gas-powered farm equipment with electric machines, and scale up programs to reduce food waste, all to lower greenhouse gas emissions from food systems. Crucially, the grant focuses on food sovereignty in Indigenous and low-income communities, aligning with Walz’s broader climate goals.

Walz’s commitment to public health is evident in his proactive stance on reproductive rights. In 2023, he signed legislation expanding protections for abortion rights, ensuring they remain in place regardless of the future composition of state courts. He also protected those seeking abortions in Minnesota from out-of-state legal attacks.

Walz has spoken passionately about the value of fertility treatments, sharing that IVF and fertility treatment enabled him and his wife to have their two children. He has been vocal in criticizing Republican policies on healthcare, emphasizing the lack of a comprehensive healthcare plan on the other side of the political spectrum.

His administration introduced legislation to scrutinize hospital mergers, ensuring they don’t reduce competition or services. This came as Sanford Health proposed a merger with Fairview Health Services, which was ultimately dropped. Walz also created a commission to make recommendations on the future of the University of Minnesota’s academic health system, focusing on strategic planning and workforce development.

Walz’s selection as Kamala Harris’s running mate underscores a commitment to addressing Climate change, food security, and public health with innovative and inclusive policies. It is important to note that Walz has a history as a hunter. While he is committed to the planet, we ask that he reconsider his commitment to the wellbeing of animals. However, his track record in Minnesota demonstrates a comprehensive approach to these issues, tying economic development to environmental sustainability and social justice. As the Harris-Walz ticket moves forward, voters will have a clear choice between their vision for a clean energy future.