During the vice presidential debate on Tuesday night, Ohio Senator JD Vance referred to climate change as “unusual science” when discussing Hurricane Helene.

Vance, who is running alongside former President Donald Trump, avoided clearly stating his position on climate science, acknowledging its legitimacy for the sake of the discussion. He suggested that a future Trump-Vance administration would prioritize domestic job creation and energy production.

In this segment, Vance inaccurately stated that the U.S. has one of the cleanest economies globally. Data from the Global Carbon Budget shows that the United States emitted 0.26 kilograms of carbon dioxide per dollar of economic output in 2022, ranking as the third most polluted economy after India and China.

As of Tuesday, Hurricane Helene, classified as a Category 4 storm, has caused the deaths of at least 144 individuals, with hundreds still unaccounted for. Residents in western North Carolina may be without power, water, and internet access for weeks.

The National Hurricane Center is currently tracking two storms in the Atlantic.

Hurricanes Driven by Climate Change

A majority of climate scientists agree that global warming is expected to increase rainfall rates during hurricanes in the Atlantic region.

Phil Klotzbach, a hurricane expert at Colorado State University, previously explained to YSL News that our major worries regarding climate change are sea level rise and heavier rainfall. “Water is the primary factor behind the destruction,” he noted.

Research indicates that a 2-degree Celsius rise in sea-surface temperatures could lead to a 14% increase in rainfall rates near hurricanes, equating to a 7% increase for every degree of warming. Since the late 1800s, the average global surface temperature has already risen by at least 1 degree Celsius.

“Model simulations of hurricanes in warmer climates show a clear trend of increased precipitation during storms,” stated Knutson.

How to Watch the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate

Catch the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate on Tuesday, October 1, at 9 p.m. ET, on CBS