The debate over climate change has been raging for decades. Beginning in the 1960s, scientists began to warn of the potential for pollution to warm the globe, threatening life as we know it. By the 1990s, they were sure: human-caused emissions were bringing about discernible global warming (“History of Climate Change Science”). Today, scientists warn that 3 out of every 4 people all over the world will “face the threat of dying from heat by 2100” if there aren’t major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (Leahy). However, this threat to our world was not (and still is not) taken seriously. Despite continued research proving the existence of climate change some say it is a ‘hoax’, and some go as far as to suggest that God is responsible for increasing natural disasters. Unfortunately, some of these non-believers are high up in the United States government, and blocking the way to any progressive policy. However, any hope for implementing policies that support climate change relief doesn’t require replacing these people. Instead of replacing them, requiring them to be educated on climate change literature before assuming a position of power that could potentially derail climate change progress should be implemented.
Opposition to climate change is largely born out of ignorance. The people who choose to ignore climate change or pretend it isn’t happening are simply not aware of how drastic the situation is. Any information they are presented with they simply brush off or attempt to refute by saying it is a trick or a hoax. What’s worse than this lack of knowledge is the refusal to improve it. Even though they have access to the means to find this information, they refuse to seek it out and educate themselves on this matter. If this education isn’t happening on its own, it must be mandated.
Unfortunately, this issue is very polarized based on party. Largely, democrats are more likely to support climate change than republicans, who have a bad reputation for disregarding the fact of climate change. Issues such as climate change have become more about sticking with party platforms than supporting what representatives actually believe in. Even if a certain republican may individually believe in climate change, they are required to represent both their constituency and their party’s beliefs, which compromises legislation that could have a very positive impact.
For this education program to be put into action, it would require both parties’ support, which might be an unrealistic expectation. However, mandating some sort of education on climate change for both parties would help to educate those who are unaware, either by accident or on purpose, about the dangers of climate change.
Works Cited
“History of Climate Change Science.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Nov. 2017, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_climate_change_science.
Leahy, Stephen. “By 2100, Deadly Heat May Threaten Majority of Humankind.” NationalGeographic, National Geographic Society, 19 June 2017, news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/06/heatwaves-climate-change-global-warming/.
Kelly, your post is very informative. I think it's awful that we have top officials who do not look at science and base their beliefs out of nothing. This should not be a partisan issue. We are all affected by the climate. Science has not political affiliation, yet as you said, Democrats are typically the ones who are concerned about the environment. We need a shift in attitude, but the only way for that to occur is for people to truly be educated with what is going on and to not disregard what over 90% of scientist say.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I could not agree with you any more. Very well said, education is indeed the best way to inform someone on a matter. I would have liked to see an example of what this implementation would look like in a professional setting. Imagine making Mitch McConnell read something on climate change because he is forced to? He would be reading against the grain the entire time and not take it seriously. As pessimistic as it sounds, I think it is unrealistic that educating republican legislators about climate change will change their minds. They know the arguments. They have seen the facts. And they choose to ignore them. Instead, I think it is incredibly important that America as a nation receives more education on the matter, such as classes that will strictly be about climate change and how it is swiftly destroying the planet. Educating the younger generation is our best chance at bringing in a future of bright political activists and lawmakers.
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