'Weird Science': Climate change takes center stage in VP debate after Helene disaster

Ohio Sen. JD Vance called climate change "weird science" during a question on the topic connected to Hurricane Helene during the vice presidential debate Tuesday night.

Vance, former President Donald Trump's running mate, dodged putting forward his stance on the science as a whole, conceding the validity of climate change science for the purpose of debate and said that a potential Trump-Vance administration would focus on onshoring jobs and energy production.

During the section, Vance falsely claimed the United States has one of the cleanest economies in the world. The United States emitted .26 kilograms of carbon dioxide per dollar of economic activity in 2022 and is the third dirtiest economy behind India and China, according to the Global Carbon Budget.

At least 144 people are dead, and hundreds remain missing because the Category 4 Hurricane Helene as of Tuesday. Some residents of western North Carolina will likely not have power, water and WiFi restored for weeks.

There are currently two storms in the Atlantic that are being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.

Debate live coverage: JD Vance, Tim Walz battle over economy, immigration

Hurricanes fueled by climate change

Many climate scientists agree higher rainfall rates are expected in hurricanes in the Atlantic basin with global warming.

The "biggest concerns we have with climate change are with sea level rise and increased rainfall," Phil Klotzbach, a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University previously told USA TODAY. “Water is the biggest driver of the damage.”

With a 2-degree Celsius increase in sea-surface temperatures, research shows about a 14% increase in near-hurricane rainfall rates, or about a 7% increase in rainfall rates per Celsius degree of warming. Globally, the average surface temperature has already increased by at least 1 degree Celsius since the late 1800s.

“When we look at model simulations of hurricanes in a warmer climate, the thing that really sticks out is an increase in precipitation rates in storms,” Knutson said.

How to watch the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate

Tune into the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 9 p.m. ET on CBS or simulcast on www.usatoday.com.

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JD Vance calls climate change 'weird science' in VP debate answer