Will the candidates mention climate change? That was top-of-mind as 11 Planet Detroiters joined up for an exciting climate debate viewing party to track how thoroughly Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump would address climate issues. 

Equipped with Climate Debate Bingo cards, attendees closely followed the debate, marking off terms like “clean energy,” “extreme weather,” and “public health” as they were mentioned.

Bingo players were pleased that the candidates directly addressed a climate question, and many of the terms we had anticipated came up throughout the discussion. Ultimately, Rondi Brower won the bingo contest.

Kamala Harris focused on clean energy investments and job creation, while Trump largely evaded substantive policy discussion, doubling down on protectionist economic policies and critiques of foreign influence.

Harris emphasized that climate change is an existential threat already affecting Americans, pointing to rising home insurance costs and the devastation caused by extreme weather events. 

She framed the Biden administration’s climate response as a dual effort: on the one hand, investing $1 trillion in a clean energy economy, which she credited with creating over 800,000 new manufacturing jobs, and on the other, increasing domestic gas production to historic levels to balance energy needs. 

Harris also underscored her administration’s focus on American-made clean energy products. She highlighted the United Auto Workers’ endorsement, aligning her climate agenda with a commitment to U.S. workers and manufacturing growth.

Donald Trump took a different approach, claiming that the U.S. had recently lost 10,000 manufacturing jobs under Biden and arguing that manufacturing plants were increasingly relocating to countries like Mexico, often under Chinese control. 

Trump promised to impose tariffs on foreign-made cars to protect U.S. auto workers, particularly those in Detroit and South Carolina. He also took the opportunity to criticize the Biden administration, alleging corruption and accusing Biden of prioritizing foreign interests over American industry due to business dealings with China and Ukraine.

We fact-checked the candidates’ responses to the moderator’s climate question: “Vice President Harris, you call climate change an existential threat. The question to you both tonight is, what would you do to fight climate change?”

Here’s what the candidates said and how true it was:

Kamala Harris:

Claim: Kamala Harris called climate change an existential threat, stressing that people across the U.S. already feel its effects through extreme weather events, home insurance costs, and property loss.

Context: This aligns with the scientific consensus on climate change, particularly from organizations like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which has identified it as a significant threat to ecosystems, economies, and communities.

Fact-check: Correct. Scientific bodies widely recognize climate change as a global crisis. It has been associated with extreme weather events such as hurricanes, wildfires and rising sea levels, impacting housing and insurance markets.

Claim: Harris highlighted the Biden administration’s $1 trillion investment in a clean energy economy, adding that this has created over 800,000 new manufacturing jobs during her tenure as vice president.

Context: Harris is likely referring to investments through legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and other climate-focused initiatives. The IRA alone is expected to channel hundreds of billions into clean energy and climate resilience over time.

Fact-check: Close, but not quite $1 trillion yet. The Inflation Reduction Act and other climate-related legislation are set to allocate hundreds of billions toward clean energy, with some estimates suggesting that investment could lead to a cumulative impact of around $1 trillion over time. This is an ongoing investment, but it has not yet reached $1 trillion.

Claim: Harris also pointed out that while the U.S. has increased domestic gas production to historic levels, the administration has simultaneously focused on building a clean energy economy and opening new manufacturing plants related to green energy.

Context: Harris is referring to jobs created since the Biden administration took office. The emphasis is on jobs related to clean energy, manufacturing and infrastructure projects.

Fact-check: Partially true. The U.S. has added hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs since Biden took office, with many linked to green energy initiatives. However, the numbers include jobs recovered after COVID.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported substantial growth in the sector, and the IRA and infrastructure spending are expected to increase those numbers further.

Claim: Harris also pointed out that while the U.S. has increased domestic gas production to historic levels, the Biden administration has simultaneously focused on building a clean energy economy and opening new manufacturing plants related to green energy

Context: Despite prioritizing clean energy, the Biden administration has continued to support oil and gas production to balance energy needs and supply shortages.

Fact-check: True. The U.S. has seen record levels of domestic oil and gas production during Biden’s tenure, even while the administration promotes renewable energy as part of its broader climate goals.

Claim: Harris mentioned her endorsement from the United Auto Workers (UAW). She noted that building a clean energy economy involves producing American-made products, particularly automobiles, to support workers and the U.S. manufacturing industry.

Context: Harris highlights the connection between clean energy initiatives and job growth in American manufacturing, particularly in the auto industry. UAW endorsed the Biden administration’s clean energy transition, recognizing its efforts to support union jobs in sectors like electric vehicle (EV) production.

Fact-check: True. The UAW endorsed Biden’s policies due to his support for clean energy manufacturing jobs, including commitments to EV production that align with the administration’s broader climate and labor goals. UAW leader Sean Fain endorsed Harris.

Donald Trump:

Claim: Donald Trump claimed that the U.S. recently lost 10,000 manufacturing jobs,

Context: Trump argues that manufacturing jobs have been lost under the Biden administration, likely in response to news about job cuts at specific companies, like those related to supply chain challenges or shifts in certain industries.

Fact-check: Misleading. While some industries have seen layoffs due to various factors, the overall manufacturing sector has seen job growth since Biden took office, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Claim: Trump argues that manufacturing plants are relocating to countries like Mexico, often under Chinese ownership.

Context: Some automakers have moved parts of their manufacturing operations to Mexico, a trend that existed before both Biden and Trump’s presidencies.

Fact-check: Misleading. Plants in Mexico are primarily owned by multinational corporations. However, the United States and China are both increasing investment in manufacturing in Mexico.

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