Democrats shift focus as climate change takes a backseat in the 2024 election

Despite the urgency of the climate crisis, Democrats are downplaying the issue in the 2024 campaign, reflecting voter priorities and a lack of detailed plans.

Umair Irfan reports for Vox.

In short:

Kamala Harris briefly mentioned climate change at the Democratic National Convention, reflecting its diminished role in the 2024 campaign.
Polls show a decline in voter concern over climate change, with other issues like the economy and immigration taking precedence.
The Democratic Party remains divided on how aggressively to transition to renewable energy, complicating campaign messaging.

Key quote:

“Very few voters say this issue is determinative to their presidential vote this year.”

— Patrick Murray, Monmouth University Polling Institute

Why this matters:

Shifts in voter priorities could lead to less political momentum for climate action, potentially slowing progress on critical environmental policies.

www.vox.com

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