The Earth is sizzling, but climate isn't a hot topic for Democrats in this year's campaigns

The Earth is experiencing rising temperatures, yet climate change is not a central focus in this year's Democratic campaigns. For Charles Hughes, a college student in Massachusetts and chair of the state's College Democrats chapter, global warming has become a distant concern compared to the issues dominating political discourse. Growing up in Colorado, Hughes was exposed to climate education early on, learning about vanishing habitats and breathing in wildfire smoke. Now, however, he finds climate change rarely discussed among peers and candidates alike. This contrast is striking given the fervor surrounding climate policy during the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries. At that time, climate change was a rallying point for young voters, driving mass protests and pushing ambitious legislative proposals like the Green New Deal. Today, the narrative has shifted dramatically. Researchers have even coined the term "climate hushing" to describe the decline in public and political attention toward the issue within the Democratic Party. The Searchlight Institute, a Democratic think tank, has advised the party to de-emphasize climate change, citing voter priorities. Meanwhile, the Sunrise Movement, a grassroots organization once dedicated to elevating climate issues among youth, has broadened its mission to combat perceived threats from the current administration. This evolution is evident in the ongoing Democratic Senate race in Massachusetts, where incumbent Senator Ed Markey, known for championing the Green New Deal, is facing a challenge from Representative Seth Moulton. While Markey still references the Green New Deal, his campaign focuses more heavily on proving his viability as a candidate rather than emphasizing environmental policies. Political strategists note that climate change has taken a backseat to other pressing matters, including economic affordability, U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel, and the overarching goal of defeating the Republican opposition. Mary Anne Marsh, a seasoned Democratic strategist in Massachusetts, remarked that the emphasis is now solely on selecting the strongest candidate to oppose the current administration. She stated, “Six years ago, Green New Deal was every phrase out of Ed Markey’s mouth every chance he got. That is not the case now. It’s about who’s best to fight. Period, full stop. Everything falls under that.” Despite the waning political focus on climate change, scientific forecasts indicate that 2026 could be one of the hottest years on record due to a strengthening El Niño phenomenon. Some advocates believe the issue will regain prominence if Democrats reclaim control of the U.S. House in November, especially if climate-related crises intensify during the winter months. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, a vocal advocate for climate action, argues that neglecting the issue is a strategic misstep. He noted that climate change has transitioned from being primarily a scientific concern to one deeply affecting personal finances and property values. “Climate change has moved from the science department into the economics department,” he said. “It's now battering people’s home insurance, property values, pocketbook concerns. So I think it’s a very powerful argument.” President Donald Trump has repeatedly dismissed climate change as a hoax, and his administration has often opposed Democratic initiatives such as the Green New Deal. In response to these challenges, the Sunrise Movement expanded its mission beyond climate advocacy, addressing broader concerns related to governance and security. Executive director Aru Shiney-Ajay explained that the shift was prompted by reports of federal agents infiltrating protest gatherings during immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis. “We just live in a significantly more authoritarian country,” she said. “Because of that, a lot of the Democratic primaries are about more existential questions. It has felt less like people care less about climate and more like people are increasingly freaked out about other issues.” According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, approximately six in ten Democrats consider climate change a very significant problem for the nation. However, the political landscape suggests that this perception does not always translate into electoral priorities. As the year progresses, the interplay between environmental urgency and immediate political imperatives will continue to shape the trajectory of Democratic campaigns.