Vance, Walz spar on climate policy, science in wake of Hurricane Helene

Zoom in: During Tuesday's debate Vance accepted the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change, including its role in making Helene more intense, only as a hypothetical.

• He argued the Biden-Harris administration has not led on stimulating U.S. manufacturing to combat climate change.

Reality check: The scientific conclusion on what is causing climate change, namely the emissions of greenhouse gases largely from burning fossil fuels, is clear and not hypothetical.

The other side: Walz responded by defending the job-creating aspects of the Inflation Reduction Act — which put him in a position to satisfy some of the demands of climate activists looking for Democrats to tout their climate accomplishments.

Yes, but: He did not take the opportunity to mention anything new on climate that a Harris-Walz administration would do.

• It was left for the moderator to remind candidates and voters about the scientific consensus on climate change and its relationship to Hurricane Helene at the end of the exchange.