How many times have you heard someone refer to climate change as "part of the liberal agenda" or an "elaborate hoax created by liberals?" With the race for the White House heating up, it is becoming more clear that there is a difference between the liberal and conservative stance on climate change. Liberals argue that something needs to be done about climate change, while conservatives argue that the facts on climate change are still up for dispute. However, there are a number of reasons why climate change should not be considered a liberal issue anymore.
1. The facts are undisputed.
Recent studies show that 97% of climate scientists
are in agreement about climate change. In fact, four major international science institutions found similar trends regarding temperature change (see image below) with drastic warming occurring throughout the last few decades. There is significant scientific evidence to prove that climate change is related to ice cap melt, sea level rise, and ocean acidification, among other things.
2. Human action is necessary to bring about change.
Greenhouse gases, emitted through the use of fossil fuels, are proven to cause global climate change when released into the atmosphere. Thus, it is human action that causes climate change, and it is human action that must fix the damage done by climate change. That is why we need leaders who realize that climate change is an issue and that something needs to be done about it. We need initiatives promoting cleaner energy and environmental protection.
3. Climate change is a global issue.
Climate change affects everyone. It does not just target certain communities, but it does affect people differently. Climate change can mean the prolonged drought in California or stronger hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast. It can mean sea level rise resulting in lost beach area for coastal communities. It can be economic loss from fisheries when fish species migrate North due to increasing sea water temperatures. Climate change also tends to hit poorer, less-developed areas harder. People in these areas depend more on raw natural resources, and with climate change causing drought, pollution, and extreme weather, the people in these areas are struggling to survive. (For more about this, check out the book and documentary "This Changes Everything.")
Clearly, climate change is an issue that transcends political parties. As a nation, we must realize this and listen to the science. Climate change is a pressing global issue, and we must treat it as such.
