ABC's 2023 climate coverage should inform its debate approach
ABC has improved the quantity and quality of its climate coverage over the last several years. It's coverage in 2023 was notable for connecting climate issues to the 2024 election. Media Matters’ analysis of broadcast TV climate coverage noted several instances where ABC addressed climate change more directly than its counterparts.
During the September 3, 2023, episode of ABC’s This Week, chief meteorologist and chief climate correspondent Ginger Zee led a 6-minute segment about the climate change discussion that occurred during the first Republican primary debate. This segment was unique among Sunday morning political shows in rebutting the climate denial expressed by Republican presidential candidates, contrasting their statements with the scientific consensus on human-induced climate change.
During the July 23, 2023, episode of This Week, Zee connected climate-fueled extreme weather to the upcoming election, noting that “the 2024 presidential election [is] raising questions about how big a priority climate will continue to be on the national stage. … Climate scientists agree that, politics aside, business as usual will be a disaster for the climate.”
Beyond its political coverage, ABC also led broadcast networks in segments about climate justice and climate attribution in 2023.
While these efforts represent progress, there's still room for more consistent and in-depth climate reporting across all networks as the 2024 election rapidly approaches. The September 10 debate offers ABC a chance to broaden and deepen the conversation around climate during election season.
Moderators must press for substantive climate answers while avoiding right-wing framing
ABC's moderators face the daunting challenge of fostering a meaningful dialogue on climate change. Media Matters has previously written about the crucial role moderators play in shaping these debates to address climate policy.
Muir and Davis should press the 2024 nominees on the wide-reaching effects of their environmental policies. This means asking nuanced questions that go beyond surface-level talking points and steering candidates toward more substantive climate discussions. Environmental justice must also be a key focus, with moderators probing how candidates’ policies will address the needs of marginalized communities most affected by climate change.
The fossil fuel industry's influence on politics also cannot be ignored. Moderators should explore candidates’ interactions with these companies, including any potential quid pro quo offers for campaign support. Additionally, they must press for specific details on plans to transition to clean energy and reduce emissions, moving beyond vague promises to concrete timelines and measurable goals.
Avoiding right-wing framing will be equally critical in the September 10 debate.
ABC’s moderators should resist elevating talking points that cast climate action as a political liability. They must also refrain from treating single issues, such as fracking, as litmus tests for entire states or voter blocs — a practice that can oversimplify complex policy matters. Context is key. Muir and Davis should provide facts about the limitations of executive power on climate issues, helping viewers understand the realistic scope of presidential action.
Finally, they must emphasize the well-documented environmental and health harms associated with fossil fuel extraction practices like fracking, ensuring viewers grasp the full implications of candidates' positions on these issues.
By employing these strategies, ABC's moderators can elevate the climate discussion, providing viewers with a clearer picture of the candidates’ policies and their potential impacts on our shared future.
By committing to a substantive climate discussion, ABC could raise the bar for election coverage
ABC's leadership in fostering a sustained climate discussion during the first presidential debate between Harris and Trump could set a new standard for election coverage by illustrating the connections between climate action and other key voter concerns. By prioritizing in-depth, science-based climate questions over horse race politics, ABC has the potential to shift the focus of campaign discourse and offer voters a comprehensive understanding of candidates’ climate strategies, factual context for more informed decision-making, and clarity on how climate policies will affect their lives and future generations.
Ultimately, ABC's debate coverage could demonstrate how informed climate discussions could lead to better policy outcomes for all Americans. The September 10 debate represents more than just a political event; it's an opportunity to elevate climate change as a central issue in the 2024 election and beyond.
