Hurricanes Helene and Milton have reignited the debate on climate change, highlighting stark contrasts between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump as they campaign for the upcoming election. Harris, who played a pivotal role in passing significant clean energy legislation, frames climate change as an economic issue, emphasizing the rising insurance costs linked to extreme weather events. Her campaign suggests that voters concerned about climate change are already aligned with her policies, which include a historic $1 trillion investment in clean energy while also promoting increased domestic gas production.

In contrast, Trump dismisses climate change as a hoax, using it primarily to criticize Democratic policies that he claims inflate consumer costs. He often trivializes the issue, suggesting that sea level rise is not a significant threat and labeling climate-related initiatives as \"lunacy.\" His rhetoric includes a promise to cut energy prices in half and expand oil and gas drilling, despite the U.S. already achieving record production levels.

While Harris has not detailed specific future policies, she implies continuity in addressing climate change, albeit with a tension between promoting fossil fuels and reducing emissions. Trump's approach, on the other hand, includes a commitment to roll back environmental regulations and eliminate federal climate initiatives, although the feasibility of such actions would depend on congressional support.

As the election approaches, the divergent views on climate change between the two candidates underscore a broader national debate on environmental policy and economic priorities.