Let's unpack what's happened last night

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Hi John,

Last night, former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump met for the last time on the debate stage. Once again, climate got a prominent spot ([link removed]) , signaling just how important the issue has become for American voters. Trump feebly attempted to defend his dismal environmental record, which has left Americans, particularly communities of color, exposed to increased air pollution in the middle of a pandemic.

Joe Biden, on the other hand, spoke with compassion about how his #BuildBackBetter plan. His plan would not only create jobs but protect fence-line communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Donald Trump understands climate change as little as he understands systemic racism, and it’s clear he doesn’t know how to address either of these issues.

As Josh Freed, Senior Vice President of Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program, said last night, “We saw the difference between Donald Trump's casual callousness and Joe Biden, who understands not just the complexity of policy, but their human impact.”

MESSAGING GUIDANCE: Voters Trust Science—Sort of

Last week, Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s refusal to acknowledge climate science ([link removed]) during her testimony squared with the Trump-era practice of questioning scientific facts. But has this continuous top-level skepticism eroded voters’ trust in science?

New research from Third Way ([link removed]) finds that 45% of voters in battleground states still trust scientists to act in the public’s best interest, and 70% of Democrats want scientists to take an active role in public policy debates on scientific issues. As the White House openly vilifies scientists and public health officials ([link removed]) , this survey has big implications for effectively communicating science with voters across multiple demographics.

We’ve developed messaging guidance for science and climate communicators to talk about these issues effectively with voters.

Read: Voters Trust Science (Sort Of)—Lessons for Communicators ([link removed])
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Will the Real Climate Champion Please Stand Up?

After climate change featured across two debates and two dizzying town halls, engaged Americans know which 2020 presidential candidate is a climate champion and who just doesn’t care. But for those less tuned into climate and clean energy policy nuances, we combed through both candidates’ records and plans to make this distinction crystal clear. Take a look at our recent side-by-side comparison ([link removed]) .

These graphics depict Biden’s support for ambitious clean energy targets and international climate engagement and his commitment to tackling environmental injustice and investing in frontline communities while providing a just transition for fossil fuel workers. In contrast, President Trump opposes all of these initiatives and has wrapped up or proposed over 100 rollbacks ([link removed]) of environmental regulations that make it easier to pollute.
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Talking Points:
* Joe Biden is the clear climate leader in the 2020 presidential election. His support for science-based policies will put the United States on the fastest, fairest path to net-zero emissions by mid-century.
* President Trump has stopped at nothing to question science and defund programs that support Americans’ physical, economic, and environmental health. Another four years of the same would set the country back years on progress and place the health of millions of Americans, especially communities of color, in jeopardy.
* Over the next 11 days, voters will hear promises from both candidates on how they will transform this country for the better. But comparing them side-by-side shows that only Joe Biden is committed to addressing climate and expanding clean energy.

Let’s keep the conversation going,
Jared

Jared DeWese
Senior Communications Advisor | Third Way
202.384.1737 :: @jareddewese ([link removed])

T.J. Osborne
Climate and Energy Press Coordinator | Third Way
202.775.5163 :: @tjosborne_ ([link removed])

Jackie Toth
Advisor for Policy and Content, Climate and Energy | Third Way
202.775.5167 :: @JackieTothDC ([link removed])

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