The Earth is sizzling, but climate isn’t a hot topic for Democrats in this year’s campaigns

Climate change has been a constant presence in Charles Hughes' life, from early lessons about disappearing habitats to the smoke from wildfires he experienced growing up in Colorado. However, as a college student in Massachusetts, Hughes finds that global warming is rarely a top issue on his mind. During the 2020 Democratic primaries, climate change served as a rallying point for young voters, as Democrats pushed for sweeping economic changes, including the Green New Deal.

But now, a shift in the conversation has led some researchers to describe it as "climate hushing." The Searchlight Institute, a Democratic think tank, has urged the party to stop mentioning climate change as it is not a priority for voters. The Sunrise Movement, a left-wing group that once focused on global warming, has shifted its mission to a broader mandate of combating the Republican president.

This shift is evident in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate primary, where incumbent Ed Markey is focusing on other issues to appeal to voters and prove he's not too old for the job. Despite the quieting of climate change in the political discussion, scientists warn that the planet's temperature could surpass previous records by the end of 2026 due to an El Nino event.

Some Democrats argue that ignoring climate change is a strategic mistake, as it is now affecting people's home insurance, property values, and pocketbooks. Trump's denial of climate change has further fueled the opposition within his party. A Pew Research Center poll from April shows that about 60% of Democrats still view climate change as a significant problem, though it often takes a backseat to other pressing issues such as inflation, healthcare affordability, and the role of money in politics.