Climate Crisis Neglected in 2024 Presidential Debate

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offer minimal and vague responses on climate change, reflecting a historical trend of sidelining the issue.

During the September 10 debate, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump were each given only one minute to address their climate crisis plans.
Harris praised both fossil fuel expansion and clean energy but failed to provide specific policy proposals to meet Paris Agreement targets.
Trump dismissed renewable energy, falsely claiming Germany had reverted to traditional energy sources, which was quickly debunked by the German Foreign Ministry.
Harris highlighted her role in the Inflation Reduction Act, which controversially included provisions for new oil and gas leases.
The debate's brief focus on climate change underscores a broader pattern of insufficient attention to the issue in U.S. presidential debates, despite its critical importance.