Vance, Walz spar on climate policy, science in wake of Hurricane Helene
Days after Hurricane Helene tore across the southeastern U.S., VP hopeful Sen. JD Vance pivoted away from questions about Donald Trump's claims that climate change is a "hoax" and towards an exchange on manufacturing policy.
Why it matters: The questions and back-and-forth were the most prominent discussion on climate science and policy in any debate this cycle, or any in recent memory.
Zoom in: During Tuesday's debate Vance accepted the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change, including its role in making Helene more intense, only as a hypothetical.
- He argued the Biden-Harris administration has not led on stimulating U.S. manufacturing to combat climate change.
Reality check: The scientific conclusion on what is causing climate change, namely the emissions of greenhouse gases largely from burning fossil fuels, is clear and not hypothetical.
The other side: Walz responded by defending the job-creating aspects of the Inflation Reduction Act — which put him in a position to satisfy some of the demands of climate activists looking for Democrats to tout their climate accomplishments.
Yes, but: He did not take the opportunity to mention anything new on climate that a Harris-Walz administration would do.
- It was left for the moderator to remind candidates and voters about the scientific consensus on climate change and its relationship to Hurricane Helene at the end of the exchange.
