# @michigandaily on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DdZQVXClsON
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70471567-michigandaily-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/1b7b83c6ec.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-17T16:08:52.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Michigan Daily (@michigandaily) — https://gondola.cc/michigandaily

## Caption

#Opinion: As far back as the 1980s, environmentalism, climate change and renewable energy have been key focuses of the Democratic party. In the time since, the party has led efforts to fund environmental research, develop the nation’s renewable energy capacity, mitigate pollution and implement goals to minimize carbon emissions, recognizing the growing threat of climate change and environmental harm. 

Frustratingly, this year has seen ranks of Democrats step back in their eagerness to combat environmental harm and climate change. Most notably, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., — often recognized for her staunch environmentalism and being a founding supporter of the Green New Deal in 2019 — has increasingly avoided environmental, climate and clean energy issues over the past year. This comes as she eyes a prospective presidential bid in 2028. 

In California, establishment affiliate Xavier Becerra, former health and human services secretary, won the Democratic gubernatorial primary over longtime progressive Tom Steyer. Accordingly, Becerra incorporated a pragmatic, practical take on affordability that disparaged spending on climate and clean energy issues, contrary to Steyer’s campaign-defining support of environmental regulations and clean tech investment.

To read more, click the link in our bio.

✍️: Willem DeGood
🎨: Gabriella Spagnuolo

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## Tags

opinion

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