In the wake of the 2024 election, Democrats find themselves re-evaluating their strategies, with a key suggestion emerging: steer clear of the term “climate change.” This advice stems from findings by the Searchlight Institute, a Democratic think tank, highlighting a disconnect between voter priorities and party messaging.
A recent survey by the institute reveals that while Americans recognize climate change as an issue, it doesn’t top their list of concerns. Voters in pivotal states are more focused on affordability and healthcare. Yet, when asked what they believe the Democratic Party prioritizes, climate change ranks first. This disparity may contribute to perceptions of the party being out of touch.
“Advocates and elected officials should understand that their messages are actively weakened by a focus on ‘climate’ over affordability and low energy prices,” noted Searchlight’s report. The data suggests voters seek immediate economic relief rather than solutions to less tangible problems.
Representative Sean Casten from Illinois, a proponent of climate policies, wasn’t shocked by the results. Alongside Representative Mike Levin, he recently introduced the Cheap Energy Agenda to advocate for clean energy as a means to reduce electricity costs. “Polling doesn’t tell you what you talk about,” Casten remarked. “It tells you how you talk about it.”
Environmental advocacy groups have also joined the conversation, with organizations like the League of Conservation Voters and Climate Power launching a campaign this summer targeting Republicans for rising energy prices.
The push for climate action within the Democratic Party has been long-standing. Activist movements, such as the Sunrise Movement, gained traction in 2018 and succeeded in integrating climate change into the party’s platform. The Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at boosting clean energy, was a landmark achievement, though it faced setbacks as Republicans sought to roll back its measures.
Searchlight’s results have sparked debate among Democrats, with some interpreting it as a call to abandon core values. Tré Easton, vice president for public policy at Searchlight, disagrees. “There needs to be a recalibration of how they make those pitches to voters,” he explained, emphasizing the need for effective communication.
Interestingly, climate change discussions had already begun to wane before the poll’s release. Coverage of the issue has significantly decreased since 2023, as noted by Anthony Leiserowitz of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Their research indicates a decline in public engagement with climate change topics.
Google News search interest in “climate change,” percent change from January 2023
Leiserowitz notes, “The fact is that we talk about the things that we collectively say are important.” He suggests the decreased dialogue may lead to misconceptions about the issue’s significance.
Despite the shift, many Americans remain concerned about global warming, according to the Yale program’s latest polls. “They had not changed their views and concerns about climate change at all,” Leiserowitz stated. “What has changed is elite discourse about it.”
Not only politicians, but also progressive groups are shifting focus. The Sunrise Movement, for instance, has redirected efforts towards advocating for free speech and protest rights under the Trump administration, training members in nonviolent resistance. Progressive activists are also addressing immigration policies, with widespread protests like the recent “No Kings” demonstrations.
Aru Shiney-Ajay, Sunrise’s executive director, articulated their stance: “The terrain of authoritarianism, the terrain of fascism, is the thing that we are trying to address.” Nonetheless, the importance of climate issues remains: “Nobody wants to walk away from the issue of climate change,” she affirmed.
Leiserowitz argues that Searchlight’s suggestion (“How to Talk about Climate Change: Don’t”) doesn’t account for the differing objectives of climate advocates versus Democratic candidates in swing states. “If your goal is to get overall societal action on climate change, it’s crazy not to talk about it,” he said.
Searchlight and others challenge the notion that discussing climate change is necessary for legislative progress. They cite the success of behind-the-scenes efforts and bipartisan support for issues like nuclear power, exemplified by the ADVANCE Act signed by President Biden, as evidence.
Amidst this dialogue, there’s growing recognition that the language used to discuss climate change can be overly technical and detached. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i emphasized at a recent event that focusing on cost is crucial: “You could talk about the planetary emergency and mitigation and adaptation… and by the time you’re done talking, people think you don’t care about them.”
While the emphasis on “cheap energy” is currently popular, its effectiveness remains debated. Searchlight’s report cautions, “Voters can tell when affordability is an afterthought, and it doesn’t neutralize the toxicity of the term ‘climate.’”
Easton admits the provocative framing was intentional to spark discussion but maintains there’s space for Democrats to address climate issues. “If you have an issue that’s as important as climate change, but it’s become polarized, you have to think creatively about how you address it from a policy perspective,” he concluded.
Original Story at grist.org