During his first term as Senator, Perdue has clearly shown support for fossil fuels, while also suggesting that climate change is not a major concern. These are two issues that President Trump has spotlighted since taking office four years ago. For instance, Perdue advocated for having the U.S. withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and ending the Clean Power Plan, which was one of Obama’s energy policies.

 

In the last five years, Perdue has largely voted against several pro-environment proposals according to the League of Conservation Voters. Three amendments to existing bills he voted against would have protected the Arctic Refuge, set energy efficiency standards based on Minnesota’s programs, and helped limit carbon pollution from power plants by invalidating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Affordable Clean Energy rule created under the Trump administration. He has also voted in favor of several anti-environmental amendments to bills, which included decreasing the protection of waterways from invasive species, continuing the building of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and undermining the Antiquities Act. One of the few pro-environmental bills he did vote for is the Great American Outdoors Act, a bipartisan effort passed on August 4 of this year. This bill provides $1.9 billion each year for the next five years to restore and maintain many of the national parks, wildlife refuges, American Indian Schools, forests, recreation areas, and other public lands. It also funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million annually to continue designing and implementing recreation and conservation projects around the nation.

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Ossoff, Perdue’s opponent, does not support the Green New Deal, which would help shift federal spending to clean energy by 2050 and create more jobs. However, he does want to improve green infrastructure. His program would include energy efficiency, clean energy, and helping the local Georgian coastal and farming communities adapt to climate change. He would also work on reversing the several environmental rollbacks made by the Trump administration.

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Reverend Warnock, like Ossoff, also supports a clean economy by 2050, keeping in mind rising sea levels and climate change. Getting the EPA to set stronger standards for clean water and air are also objectives of his. He is an advocate for environmental justice, strongly believing that education and training for those in lower-income populations and communities of color are crucial. His focus would be on not only long-term concerns but also problems that occur every day. He is interested in expanding public transportation and reducing carbon emissions as well. 

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Who controls the Senate will affect how effectively Biden is able to get legislation passed on climate and other environmental issues. If Republicans take the Senate, this would be the first time since 1989 that a president would not have full control of Congress. It would also likely result in continued gridlock, further delaying the ability to set stricter environmental standards to protect wildlife, marine life, human health, and nature. If Democrats take control of the Senate, this will increase the chances of getting more of Biden’s proposed legislation passed, particularly relating to clean energy. In fact, one of Biden’s plans would be to focus on zero-emissions by 2035. If a bill like this were to pass, it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by 32 percent in just 15 years. How successful Biden’s plan will be to spend some $2 trillion on clean energy and climate change initiatives will depend on the results of these elections.

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The voters from Georgia are increasingly diverse, which will influence environmental policy in Georgia for years to come. This group includes rural residents who fish, farm, and hunt, in addition to those who live in urban areas. This is significant because the diversity has increased liberal viewpoints, particularly among youth and Black people, who are moving to the Atlanta region. Stacey Abrams has been commended for playing a major role in increasing voter turnout with her organization Fair Fight. 

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According to the Center for Responsive Politics, to support Perdue’s campaign, outside organizations spent over $67.5 million. In comparison, only $38.1 million was spent on Ossoff’s campaign. $43.6 million was spent against Ossoff by the Senate Leadership Fund, which is aligned with Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader. $31.1 million was spent against Perdue by the Senate Majority PAC, which is aligned with Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader.

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Regardless of the outcome of the two Senate races occurring at the beginning of January of next year, the future of environmental policy in the U.S. will be impacted.