In August, however, the Republican presidential candidates’ debate detoured from the usual litany of empty soundbites into something darker: a collective dismissal of reality.
When the eight hopefuls for the presidential nomination were asked to raise their hands if they believed in the reality of human-mediated global warming, every one declined to do so.
One candidate, biotech entrepreneur and fossil-fuel stock peddler Vivek Ramaswamy, went even further, slamming the “climate change agenda” as a hoax.
Despite the bluster of the Republican candidates, the incontrovertible fact remains that anthropogenic climate change is real. As swathes of the world swelter and burn and flood, the folly displayed at the debate makes it critical we understand why so many persist in denying reality.
Some argue that climate has always changed throughout Earth’s history. And while that is true, climate has never changed at such an alarming rate. Just as there’s a difference between bringing your car to a halt by gentle application of the brake versus ramming it full tilt into a brick wall, so too should a rapid rate of climate change concern us.
Nor can we disavow responsibility by positing that climate change might be a natural phenomenon. The abundance of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere from fossil fuels point to our involvement as surely as the fingerprints on a smoking gun.
And perhaps most cruelly, this pigheaded hubris hurts the most vulnerable the most. It is the world’s poorest, who bear the least responsibility for the crisis, who are most harmed.
Candidates speaking like this is normal. They are catering to their respective voter base. These candidates need only to cross the hurdles they face to get to be the president where they can...
Candidates speaking like this is normal. They are catering to their respective voter base. These candidates need only to cross the hurdles they face to get to be the president where they can implement their agenda irrespective of the need of the population. They will follow the dictates of their sponsors while occasionally doing fan service to the ideology of those who voted for them.
What's more troubling is that there are those who believe climate change to be fictional. And that these individuals are present in substantial numbers by which they can influence the wannabe leaders to do their bidding.
Do only voters hold the belief that climate change isn't real? Ostensibly some candidates will too. I don't always believe that politicians are just using voters, and while those exploitative...
Do only voters hold the belief that climate change isn't real? Ostensibly some candidates will too. I don't always believe that politicians are just using voters, and while those exploitative types do exist (and probably many), they themselves often hold the same beliefs too.
At some point someone brought up with the idea that climate change isn't real will enter politics and will be thoroughly convinced they're doing the right thing.
I hesitate to be optimistic and think they will pivot after taking office. There's a good chance these folks believe it. The problem is systemic and solving it requires more than solving corruption.
David Robert Grimes
Archived version
Candidates speaking like this is normal. They are catering to their respective voter base. These candidates need only to cross the hurdles they face to get to be the president where they can implement their agenda irrespective of the need of the population. They will follow the dictates of their sponsors while occasionally doing fan service to the ideology of those who voted for them.
What's more troubling is that there are those who believe climate change to be fictional. And that these individuals are present in substantial numbers by which they can influence the wannabe leaders to do their bidding.
Do only voters hold the belief that climate change isn't real? Ostensibly some candidates will too. I don't always believe that politicians are just using voters, and while those exploitative types do exist (and probably many), they themselves often hold the same beliefs too.
At some point someone brought up with the idea that climate change isn't real will enter politics and will be thoroughly convinced they're doing the right thing.
I hesitate to be optimistic and think they will pivot after taking office. There's a good chance these folks believe it. The problem is systemic and solving it requires more than solving corruption.