Billionaire climate activist targets GOP presidential candidates

Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer will run a series of advertisements about global warming during the GOP presidential debate Tuesday in an effort to pressure the Republican candidates to embrace clean energy.

“If you think there’s no solution to the climate crisis, think again,” Steyer says in the TV spot. “In America, clean energy is already producing enough power for 18 million homes, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and supporting over a million jobs.”

“With bold leadership and an endless supply of wind and sun, we can do even more,” Steyer continues. “The goal is 50 percent clean energy by 2030. So what are we waiting for?”

The ad campaign, priced at more than $100,000, is backed by Steyer’s environmental group, NextGen Climate. It includes two television commercials, one digital ad, and print ads in USA Today and the Las Vegas Sun.

NextGen Climate, which claims in its ad that 72 percent of Republican voters support clean energy, is hoping to pressure the presidential candidates to get on board.

“Any presidential candidate who refuses to embrace clean energy is putting themselves at odds with the American people — and Republican voters,” Steyer said in a statement. “Investing in clean energy will help solve climate change, create millions of jobs and put more money in Americans’ pockets. Is the Republican presidential field really going to ignore this tremendous economic opportunity?”