Yes, dealing with the climate crisis can be said to be the "fundamental life issue of this election," because at least it has been mentioned in campaign events, e.g. the debates during the primary and general elections, almost as if in passing, and at least some of us in the electorate understand it to be a matter of the greatest importance. In an early debate, Bernie Sanders answered the question, "What is the greatest security threat to the United States?," by saying it is climate change. And while I'm not sure Hillary Clinton has quite matched that sense of urgency, she is no doubt impressed by the words of Bernie, President Obama, and Al Gore.

On the other hand, if for once we put aside our anthropocentrism (something Pope Francis seems unable to do), "the fundamental life issue of this century" is the annual slaughter of trillions of nonhuman animals for human use, but serving no true human need. At every meal we can choose to be a *true* pro-life activist.