This is the year of the climate election. Journalists should cover it that way | Mark Hertsgaard and Kyle Pope

The press is covering the 2024 campaign as if climate isn't on the ballot, but 56% of US voters are concerned' or alarmed' about the crisis

Fact one: more voters face national elections in 2024 than ever before in recorded history - about 4 billion people, nearly half the human population.

Fact two: last year was the hottest in recorded history - and scientists warn that oil, gas and coal burning must be rapidly phased out if we are to preserve a livable planet.

Mark Hertsgaard is executive director and co-founder of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration committed to more and better coverage of the climate story, and the Nation magazine's environment correspondent

Kyle Pope is executive director of strategic initiatives and co-founder of Covering Climate Now, and a former editor and publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review

This article is published here as part of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now