Climate change, once a central rallying cry for Democrats, is being sidelined in the current election cycle as issues such as economic affordability and the challenge posed by former President Donald Trump take precedence for voters. This shift has led some researchers to coin the term "climate hushing" to describe the phenomenon.
During President Donald Trump's first term, particularly in the lead-up to the 2020 primaries, climate change was a frequent topic, used to mobilize young voters and fuel demands for economic reform through proposals like the Green New Deal. However, a notable national change in discourse has occurred. A Democratic think tank, the Searchlight Institute, has advised the party to reduce its emphasis on climate change, suggesting it is not a top voter priority. Similarly, the Sunrise Movement, a progressive group that previously championed global warming as a key issue for young people, broadened its mission last fall to focus on opposing the Republican president.
The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts exemplifies this trend. Incumbent Senator Ed Markey, 80, is facing a challenge from U.S. Representative Seth Moulton, 47. While Markey still references his sponsorship of the Green New Deal, his campaign is now concentrating on other issues to establish his progressive credentials and address concerns about his age.
Veteran Democratic strategist Mary Anne Marsh noted that "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." She added, "It’s about who’s best to fight. Period, full stop. Everything falls under that."
This strategic pivot comes even as scientific warnings about the planet's warming intensify. Scientists predict that 2026 could be the hottest year on record, with a strengthening El Nino expected to drive global temperatures higher. Some advocates believe the issue may re-emerge if Democrats regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November and climate-related disasters become more prominent.
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, a prominent Democratic voice on climate change, called the de-emphasis a significant strategic "blunder." He argued that climate change is now directly impacting voters' lives through home insurance, property values, and pocketbook concerns, making it a potent argument.
Former President Trump has repeatedly dismissed climate change as a "hoax," and his party has frequently criticized Democratic climate proposals. The Sunrise Movement's shift in focus was partly attributed by its executive director, Aru Shiney-Ajay, to an increasingly authoritarian political climate, with many Democratic primaries centering on more existential questions.
Data from a Pew Research Center poll in April indicated that about 6 in 10 Democrats still consider climate change a "very big problem," a figure consistent with 2016. Nevertheless, climate has frequently been overshadowed by other concerns such as inflation and healthcare affordability in voter priorities.
McKenzie Wilson of Blue Rose Research, a Democratic data firm, observed that voters are demanding significant changes in response to economic dissatisfaction, exhibiting a level of anger not seen in years. "In that kind of environment it’s hard to think about long-term, existential problems," Wilson stated. "If we don’t talk and focus our attention on the number one thing the electorate wants to talk about, as we saw in 2024, we’re not going to be connecting with the electorate."
The Searchlight Institute's suggestion, "The First Rule About Solving Climate Change: Don’t Say Climate Change," reflects this sentiment. The institute suggested that voters perceive climate change as an intimidating and complex issue, and that Democrats might be more successful by focusing on other subjects to regain power, subsequently addressing the crisis once in office.
Leah Stokes, a political scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, expressed frustration with politicians downplaying the issue, warning that "The climate crisis is accelerating and we can’t really not talk about it for like a decade, because the planet will be even more on fire if we do that." Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, echoed these concerns, stating that "What happens over the course of the next decade will profoundly shape the habitability of the planet for literally thousands of years to come."
Climate concerns have surfaced in discussions about the impact of data centers, though often as one component of a broader conversation. Many climate advocates are adapting their messaging, highlighting how green energy can reduce costs and lower insurance premiums. Jared Leopold, a strategist focused on climate change, noted, "What we’re seeing right now is, whether you’re advocating for healthcare reform or climate action or some niche tech issue, everything is filtered through some cost frame."
During a recent debate between Markey and Moulton, a voter's question about reducing energy prices prompted Markey to link clean energy to a plan that Trump had attacked. Political scientist Tatishe Nteta of the University of Massachusetts Amherst suggested that Markey has used climate change in this election to signal his willingness to oppose Trump and align with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. However, other issues, such as a candidate's stance on Israel, have become more significant indicators of progressive alignment in many races.
Eileen Cefail, who works for Roofers Local 33 and is backing Markey in the primary, cited his support for labor as her primary reason, rather than his climate stance, despite experiencing record heat during her 30 years of work. "He’s always been a union guy," she said. "He’s just for the labor."