The Politicization of Global Warming
Let’s get one thing out of the way. Climate change is real. The consequences of climate change are occurring and are set to affect, 3.6 billion people as we speak. Climate change is largely manmade. Climate change is not a hoax.
Why should any of what I just said be political? It’s been proven again and again by every reputable scientist and academic. It’s not an opinion. So why is it that the vast majority of one side of the aisle acknowledges this fundamental truth, and the other side…not so much? To be fair, in America’s case, the issue isn’t 100% split between Democrats and Republicans, though the distinction is clear––according to a Pew Research study, four-fifths of Democrats regard climate change as a major threat to the country, while only one-fifth of Republicans do so. On top of that, nearly 15% of Americans don’t even believe in climate change at all, most of which are Republican voters. Why are we so divided, even when the evidence of this phenomenon is indisputable?
Like most issues, much of the split has to do with money. Companies in the fossil fuel industry depend on extracting Earth’s resources such as oil or coal to make a cheap profit, and their lobbyists are effective at influencing those who help keep them running––in this case, Republican politicians––to continue advocating for legislation in their interest. In turn, this essentially means voting against legislation designed to decrease the effects of climate change. Texas, where Ribbon Magazine is based out of, is the largest energy producer (and consumer) in the United States. While there have been great strides in increasing renewable energy production like wind power, much of that energy comes from oil and natural gas––nonrenewable sources, the extraction of which can be detrimental to the planet and impact the climate. Republicans are more likely to support the companies that “Drill, baby, drill” due to their conservative ideology that there shouldn’t be restrictions or laws against it.
Closely related is the conservative idea that the government should severely cut its spending, especially when it comes to issues of holding these companies fiscally responsible for changing their actions. Less spending = good, even when the money could go to something that will make a long-term positive difference for humanity rather than a short-term positive difference for an already incredibly wealthy and powerful industry. Republicans’ ideological foundation has historically lied in protecting corporate interests, and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Much of the GOP’s donors are mega-wealthy CEOS and corporations that thrive off of these likely destructive patterns.
Many on the right will say that mainstream media tends to lean liberal, and therefore tend to be skeptical of the information they present, such as data regarding global warming. To them, climate scientists and experts are part of a larger agenda, something to distrust and dismiss. In truth, the idea of completely “objective” media can be hard to pinpoint, especially in today’s heated political climate––however, when evidence proves, again and again, the simple truth that global warming is a tangible threat to the country and ultimately the world, the game of politics becomes irrelevant.
It’s inherently nonpartisan; climate disasters that have already occurred or inevitably worsened due to changing temperatures have affected people from all political backgrounds without distinction, from Hurricane Ida, which made landfall in Louisiana in 2021, to the recent Los Angeles wildfires which, by the time this is published, likely will not be fully contained weeks after starting. No one is safe from global warming’s impact based on their political affiliation or socioeconomic status, which can go hand-in-hand in complex ways.
You don’t have to be a climate scientist or even take an AP Environmental Science class (raises hand) to educate yourself about the issue. It is one of, if not the most, pressing issue we’re facing, and the actions this country takes or refuses to, affect more than just us. It affects the world. It affects living things that are helplessly living and dying through situations caused by global warming, caused by us. It is far past time to put aside ideologies and labels to combat this crisis together––if it isn’t already too late.
