More than an hour into the debate, the candidates finally talked about climate change, which President Joe Biden has called an existential crisis and a top priority of his presidency.

Former President Donald Trump, after initially declining to answer on climate, said he wants “absolutely immaculate, clean water and I want absolutely clean air.’’

He said that during his administration, “we were using all forms of energy, all forms, everything’' and claimed he “had the best environmental numbers ever.’’

It was unclear what he was referring to.

Biden called climate change the greatest threat to humanity, adding that Trump “didn’t do a darn thing about it.’’

Biden cited the 2022 passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which is authorizes billions for clean energy. Biden called it the most significant climate legislation ever passed.

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FILE - Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear waves to a cheering crowd after his speech during the Ben Nelson Gala Nov. 7, 2025, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)

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Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

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