Energy

Hickenlooper: ‘Socialism Is Not The Solution’ To Climate Change

REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

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Michael Bastasch DCNF Managing Editor
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Former Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said “socialism is not the solution” to global warming during Thursday night’s Democratic primary debate.

“I’m a scientist and recognize that within 10 or 12 years of actually suffering irreversible damage, but guaranteeing everybody a government job is not going to get us there,” Hickenlooper said, trying to differentiate himself from Democrats who support the Green New Deal.

“Socialism is not the solution,” Hickenlooper said. “We have to look at what really will make a difference.”

WATCH:

Candidates pose before the start of the second night of the first U.S. 2020 presidential election Democratic candidates debate in Miami, Florida, U.S.

Democratic U.S. 2020 election presidential candidates including author Marianne Williamson, former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Michael Bennet and Rep. Eric Swalwell pose for pictures before the start of the second night of the first Democratic presidential candidates debate in Miami, Florida, U.S., June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri.

Hickenlooper touted closing coal-fired power plants in Colorado and replacing them with wind and solar energy. Hickenlooper also touted his work alongside oil and gas companies to clamp down on methane emissions — though, that’s not how conservatives and some in the industry characterized it.

(REALTED: New York Wants To Power State With Solar Panels, Windmills and Hydro-Electricity By 2050)

Many Democratic presidential candidates endorsed the Green New Deal, which critics have labeled as socialism because of its massive expansion of government control and welfare handouts.

“We have to recognize that only by bringing people together businesses, nonprofits, we can’t demonize every business,” Hickenlooper said. “If we’re not able to do that, we will be doomed to failure. We have no way of doing this without bringing.

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