Town Hall Spotlights Democrats' Climate Change Proposals

Critics of the earliest Democratic candidate debates have noted a conspicuous lack of substantive and concentrated discussion on one of the great existential threats of the era: climate change. Neglect of the subject could change soon.

1 minute read

September 5, 2019, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Democratic Debate

Dori Chronicles / Shutterstock

The Democratic National Convention decided in June not to have an entire debate devoted to climate change, and CNN is stepping in to fill the void, with a town hall totaling seven hours of coverage devoted to a series of discussions of the topic by individual candidates. Writing for Vox, Umair Irfan explains the format of the event and also sets the television coverage in context. "That a major television network would devote so much time to a single issue is a sign of how important climate change has become for Democrats and how successful activists have been in elevating the issue."

Writing in a separate article for Curbed, Alissa Walker surveys the climate policy proposals of eight of the ten Democratic candidates for president that will appear at the next debates on September 12. On the same day of the article's publication, the remaining two candidates who hadn't yet released climate plans, Senator Kamala Harris and Mayor Pete Buttigieg, did so.

Coral Davenport and Lisa Friedman provide coverage of Harris's climate plan for The Washington Post. Umai Irfan provides coverage of Buttigieg's plan for Vox.

Writing for CBS News, Grace Segers also provides comprehensive coverage of the climate stances of the Democratic candidates.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019 in Curbed

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

AI-generated image of high-speed rail trail in elevated track in green hilly farmland.

Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI

It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.

May 28, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment

City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

May 30 - The Bulletin

Metro rail station in Mariachi Plaza with colorful glass pavilion in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA

When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

May 30 - CALmatters

Des Moines, Iowa skyline viewed from a plaza with two flags on either side at dusk.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units

A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.

May 30 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.