For far, far too long, climate was essentially a non-existent issue in Presidential campaign debates (and, well, campaigns). This cycle, the Democratic Party candidates are united in understanding science and recognizing that we must act on climate (even with tremendous differences as to what ‘act’ means). Even as Australia burns, the Midwest floods, Antarctica melts, and polls show Americans (especially Democratic Party primary voters) want climate action, pundits seem to ignore climate change in a political sense and most debate moderators seem to think climate is a secondary item little deserving of a question. Though, at least this campaign cycle has finally seen some moderators asking climate-related questions — even if, sigh, they have often been marginally well-informed (“Will your plan save Miami?” Seriously, Rachel?) Tonight this could change … significantly.
The debate moderators this evening are:
NBC News’ Lester Holt, Chuck Todd (traditionally a disaster), and Hallie Jackson, along with Telemundo’s Vanessa Hauc and The Nevada Independent's Jon Ralston.
As a Climate Hawk and a Climate Reality presenter, the name that jumps out to me isn’t the ‘traditionally a disaster” Toddles but Vanessa Hauc. For an understanding as to why, here’s a bio:
Vanessa Hauc is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and senior correspondent for Noticias Telemundo. From social, cultural and political events to natural disasters, Vanessa has been a valuable source of information for U.S. Hispanics, reporting the news from right from where it happens. From Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico to Matthew in Haiti Vanessa has covered the story. She travelled to Rome two times to lead a conversation between Pope Francis and children from countries affected by natural disasters. Her passion for environmental issues inspired her to create the “Alerta Verde” segment to inform and educate the community about the importance of protecting our planet.
Today she is leading the investigative unit on environmental issues at Telemundo Network “Planeta Tierra”.
Vanessa is the co-founder of Sachamama or “Mother Jungle,” a nonprofit organization that works to inspire, empower and educate the Latino community on climate issues and sustainable attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles. She has worked hand-in-hand with The Climate Reality project and Vice President Al Gore in his global initiative “24 Hours of Reality” for the past 8 years, the global broadcast reached 800 million people in 2018. This year she was name one of the ten Latinos leading on Climate by the HuffPost.
As Hauc’s twitter profile puts it simply:
In love with Planet earth
This is the first-time where an environmental (climate) focused journalist has been a Presidential debate moderator. In a PRI interview, Hauc made clear she realizes this and that she will be asking serious climate and environmental questions.
This is a great opportunity to really raise this issue and raise important questions to the candidates, to see ... how are they planning to face this existential crisis. This election it's clear climate change is going to be a key and decisive issue for many voters."
Don’t be surprised if the climate crisis strikes (repeatedly) in Las Vegas this evening.