Democrats are suddenly quiet on climate change

Kamala Harris and other top Democrats not highlighted climate change or the environment in recent stump speeches, including keynote remarks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week. Former president Donald Trump, by contrast, has continued to attack Harris for her alleged “war on American energy,” and several speakers at last month’s Republican National Convention lambasted gasoline prices under President Joe Biden.

The split-screen approach suggests that Democrats see talking about the environment as a lose-lose proposition. If they call for curbing fossil fuel production to fight global warming, they risk alienating voters in Pennsylvania, a pivotal swing state where natural gas powers the economy. But if they tout record U.S. oil production that has helped lower energy costs, they risk angering young voters, a crucial constituency for Democrats.

There is no doubt that climate change has fueled extreme weather this summer, bringing longer and more extreme heat waves to wide swaths of the country. But with most voters ranking other issues as more important, and with Democrats wanting to paint a rosy picture of the future, party leaders appear to have calculated that climate silence is the safest strategy.

Caption from original article by Maxine Joselow.

[josjos-xs]

Its sad that somthing as factual as climate change is an offensive topic to many.

[Strykaman]

During the DNC, I noticed a lot of “the right to clean air and clean water” so maybe they’re avoiding saying “climate change” specifically but, I don’t think they’re necessarily ignoring it as an issue.

[mlem-vtie]

Australian here- the flowers began to bloom one week ago and we have been getting weather of 21 Celsius (approx 70 Fahrenheit for the Americans). Spring has arrived early and summer will be hell.

edit: thanks to the commenters under this talking about life in other parts of the world. it's pretty scary thinking about global warming as a whole but i believe that if we force action we can step away from disaster :)

[ProdCritic]

Kinda burying the lead a bit here. The issue shouldn’t be that they’re not talking about it, the issue is *why does half the country think this is controversial* 🤦

[sebastianfries]

I’d rather have someone who ignores a problem or doesn’t address it publicly than someone who has actively fought to worsen it.

[georgebegley]

This is why I hate how we vote just because a couple states have people don’t like talking about climate change now the entire country can’t

[tskmaster]

So that's why JD Vance went to Australia. I thought he was fleeing the country.

[HectorT]

I find baffling that talking about climate change can loose someone enough votes that they completely avoid the issue, i figured it should be the opposite

[ktleemusic]

Not talking big on the campaign trail does not equate to not acting once in office. A campaign is a sales pitch. You pick your strongest points and run with them.

[KarenHawes]

Frame "climate change activity" as "quality of life improvements and reduced dependency on oil imports" (because they are)

[kchum]

So I live in a red state (unfortunately), and it’s in the middle of the desert. I heard everyone (literally everyone I interacted with) would say things like “It’s never been this hot before”
“I’ve lived here for 30 years and never experienced heat like this.”
“The weather is so weird today, it’s never been like this ever.”

And then go “Climate change is FAKE you SHEEP” after suffering through 3 weeks straight of 110° heat, when it’s supposed to be like 96°

[AverageLobotomyFan]

Protecting the planet shouldn't be a partisan issue, but here we are

[ThePaper]

Not going to lie, i thought he was joking about being in Australia the other day. The "work from home" policy they have must he STRONG. Love to see it

[RyutaDiana]

Your boss flies private jets with his gf around the globe.

[Pedro_Ferrandi]

The problem about climate change is that it's not about the Earth. The planet couldn't care less, it endured worse stuff during it's history.
The problem is about us and all of the other species that were unlucky enough to share our same geologocal period

[DaveJorgenson]

That’s a quokka at the end. They’re amazing, perfect creatures on Wadjemup (also known as Rottnest island) off of the coast near Perth.

[addabad]

It's so irritating when folks with air conditioning say "it's not that bad!" like the entire environment can withstand consistent heat throughout the day and night outdoors

[Omashu]

Aussie here, not a fan of 30°C weather in winter. Opposite seasons to the rest of the world, yet still getting the same temperatures.

[djhero]

107 degrees in winter. Average winter temps in Australia are 65 degrees Fahrenheit in August. That's bad.

[benkellman]

Policy is not made on a campaign trail. She can do more to combat climate change by winning and then taking action than by talking about
It