The climate myth Democrats can’t quit
After the 2024 election, many Democratic politicians have reduced public references to climate change in speeches, social media, and podcasts. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse continues to emphasize the issue, delivering his “Time to Wake Up” climate speech repeatedly. Experts note that while polls show climate low on voter priorities, avoiding the topic may hinder long‑term climate action and offers no clear electoral advantage.
- ▪Democratic leaders have largely stopped mentioning climate change in public communications following the 2024 election.
- ▪Senator Sheldon Whitehouse remains a prominent exception, giving his climate warning speech over 300 times in the past decade and a half.
- ▪Think tanks and party strategists have advised Democrats to avoid climate language, yet research finds no solid evidence that it harms electoral prospects and may provide a modest boost.
- ▪Polls rank climate change near the bottom of voter priorities, but scholars warn that silence could undermine momentum for policy development.
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ClimateThe climate myth Democrats can’t quitWhy staying quiet isn’t helping.by Kate YoderJun 16, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCShareGiftA person hoists a poster in front of the US Capitol at a climate protest in Washington, DC. Eva Hambach/AFP/Getty ImagesKate Yoder is a staff writer at Grist.This story was originally published by Grist and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.As the midterm elections approach, something strange has happened: Democratic politicians who once talked about climate change as the defining crisis of our time now barely mention it at all. The phrase has begun disappearing from their speeches, social media posts, and podcast appearances.
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