2020 presidential primary candidates to appear in MSNBC climate forum

by Rachel Frazin - 08/28/19 4:06 PM ET

Several Democratic presidential candidates and one Republican primary challenger to President Trump will appear in a climate change forum moderated by MSNBC next month.

The Democratic presidential candidates attending the two-day forum include Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D), according to a statement from Georgetown University, which will host the event.

Other Democratic candidates attending are Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in addition to Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D), former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, Former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Tom Steyer and Andrew Yang.{mosads}

Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld will also participate.

The event is in addition to a seven-hour climate town hall recently announced by CNN amid calls from progressive Democrats for a formal debate focused on climate change.

The Democratic National Committee last week voted down a proposal for a climate-focused debate despite calls from advocates and some Democratic presidential candidates for such an event.

The MSNBC forum will take place Sept. 19 and 20 and will be moderated by hosts Chris Hayes and Ali Velshi. The event is also being hosted by Our Daily Planet and New York Magazine.

Participating candidates will discuss their plan to address climate change and will take questions from students at universities including Georgetown.