Climate Change Politics Letter

Dear Future Student of 2216,

Today in our society in 2016, climate change is both favored and disliked in the United States. Climate change during our time period can be considered a heated political debate. Politically, it is divided strictly by a partisan line between Democrats and Republicans.

I’m sure you are wondering why the words “climate change” got our political parties so fired up, so I will start out by explaining a little bit of backstory behind the Republican party, what they believe, and what is happening currently. A majority of Republicans views on climate change is that it is not that big of an issue, or it is not even true. John Coleman, the co-founder of the Weather Channel (11) stated, “I have studied climate change seriously for years. It has become a political and environment agenda item, but the science behind it is not valid.” Coleman based his statements on the NIPCC, which is a non-governmental international body of scientists. Republicans believe the statistics from this group that does not involve the government because Republicans main beliefs is in a smaller government. Ronald Reagan (12), a past Republican President, stated “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” This statement sums up the Republican party in a nutshell, and helps to better understand their reasoning behind their climate change beliefs. Today, our current Republican candidate is Donald Trump. Donald Trump has spoken outwardly about his disbelief in climate change. One of his Tweets (13) (I’m not sure Twitter is even around in 2216, but it was a social media site where users could post short statements about what they believed, thought was cool, or just wanted to share) from 2012 states, “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” While this Tweet was a little far fetched, there might be some truth to it. I’m not saying that it was made up entirely by the Chinese, but I do believe that Democrats attempts to cut Americans use of fossil fuels (14) and carbon-dioxide emissions will stunt our economic growth, and somewhat controls the lives Americans. Getting back to a more recent Tweet from Donald (13) in 2015, he said “I mean, Obama thinks it’s the number one problem of the world today. And I think it’s very low on the list. So I am not a believer, and I will, unless somebody can prove something to me, I believe there’s weather. I believe there’s change, and I believe it goes up and it goes down, and it goes up again. And it changes depending on years and centuries, but I am not a believer, and we have much bigger problems.” Speaking of our current President, Obama does think it’s a big issue, and signed the Paris Climate Treaty (14) just a few days ago in April 2016. Obama is planning to use this treaty to limit our fossil fuel and carbon-dioxide emissions, which relates back to the point I made about Donald’s first Tweet. I believe the debate between Republicans and Democrats about climate change is so heated is because Presidents Obama’s current actions about climate change are unconstitutional (14). His signing of the Paris Climate Treaty was unconstitutional because he signed it without the consent of the Senate, but no one seems to do anything about it. Of course this enrages the Republicans, and they are already upset because the treaty goes against what they believe in. Basically, it is such a heated debate because both sides think they are right and are unwilling to compromise. Also, the debate is made to seem more intense than it probably is in real life by TV and social media.

While most Republicans don’t believe climate change is a big issue, they still believe in trying to efficient. They tend to lean towards Theodore Roosevelt’s ideas (15) of creating national parks to preserve our land, instead of limiting our fossil fuel and carbon-dioxide emissions like the Democrats want. The Democrats (16) want to raise taxes on gas and electricity to make people less likely to use it, thus causing less pollution. The Republicans (16) are all for less pollution, but they do not want the American people to have to pay for it, or be limited by what they can use. The Republicans (16) believe in tax breaks for companies that produce more electricity from wind, water, and solar power. Also, the same applies for companies that come up with new methods (16) to burn coal with less pollution emissions. This then would not stunt our economic growth, and encourage companies to be more Earth friendly, or efficient, with the reward of a tax break.

Between Democrats and Republicans, climate change is a touchy subject talked about right now in 2016. Nowadays on TV, I am viewing presidential debates and conflicting viewpoints on each side. I hear more about terrorism and the stability of our economy on TV more than any other policy. But at least Pew Research Center(2) acknowledges I know that one group that actually cares about our climate and protection of our environment to keep our world healthier. Climate change today is shaped along the lines of partisans. Between the two, their party is determined by the gender and age groups. Republicans question whether or not global warming and climate change is real, and Democrats question what can we the people do about the changing climate. Today Democrats are more concerned with this growing problem rather than Republicans, because of these diverging questions. Democratic candidate of 2016 Hillary Clinton says from Hillary Clinton Campaign Website(7), “I won’t let anyone take us backward, deny our economy the benefits of harnessing a clean energy future, or force our children to endure the catastrophe that would result from unchecked climate change.” Democrats look more to the future and help these growing problems now disintegrate so the future won’t have to endure it. Today Democratic ideology Pew Research Center(3) shows in polls that 55% of Democrats want to help climate change, when only 14% of Republicans prioritize climate change. Hillary Clinton is funded, research from Open Secrets(6), by numerous organizations and companies. Some of the biggest donations are from some of the most prestigious universities like Harvard University and University of California. Together they fund her campaign 1 billion dollars, for the purpose of gaining university funds from this candidate for research in their school. Some of the university’s research would be related to climate change and protection of the environment. Universities like Harvard and California tend to be more liberal and in the end siding with Democratic candidates like Hillary Clinton and Obama from the 2012 election shown on Open Secrets(5). Nasa(1) recognizes that the main reason for global warming and climate change is the growth of humans of the greenhouse effect. That being said we caused it so we should be the ones fixing it and protecting our environment, like the Democrats are doing. Democrats are doing the right thing to our community, actually acknowledging the fact that climate change is happening and we the people need to be the ones helping our world.

Democrats see and acknowledge there is a problem and want to help it. On the other hand, Republicans don't believe in this so called "conspiracy theory" of climate change. Other countries have same issues discussed in Pew Research Center(2) with political parties having different views on pending policies in their nation. Canada, Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom have same points on the matter of climate change. These countries find climate change very important and will affect their country if not protected. The graphs from Pew Research Center(2) can be seen the percentages and importance of climate change. The United States growing tension in debates on climate change is similar to other major countries. Pew Research Center(10) describes how Earth Day was created 46 years ago. In importance to helping keep our earth clean by creating recycling programs to tell importance to others about climate change. As of this point in time to actually solve the crisis with climate change, people have to acknowledge it is a real and pending thing in our lives. My research from Forbes(4) shows that Republicans are keeping their followers away from seeing the truth behind the climate even though two-thirds of liberal to moderate Republicans believe global warming is real. What about the other one-third?

Funding for each candidate, between the two partisans, is heated. as well. Candidates use this fire as a political advantage towards other opponents. Politifact(9) describes between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, the rivalry Democratic candidates, a lot of comments about climate have been made towards Hillary Clinton. Sander’s says that Hillary’s campaign counts on money from coal and gas companies, which undermines Clinton’s energy and environmental policies. During this current 2016 election, from Open Secrets(8), trends show that 9% of oil and gas companies fund money to Democratic candidates, while the other 90% goes to Republicans. This supports the claims of Republicans not believing and caring as much for environment and climate change. They receive more money from these companies because of their reliance on fossil fuels rather than clean and renewable energy. In total from each election Open Secrets(8), from 1990 to 2016 Democrats have received $82,643,039, while Republicans received $330,487,781. This is nearly a 4:1 ratio of donation received by Republicans to Democrats.
In conclusion, by both parties having their say in the matter of climate change, makes it harder to solve the problem. I hope in the future when you are living in, that climate change won’t be an issue anymore and will be solved right now, 2016.

Sincerely,

Mary Leigh Oliver & Janvi Patel

Partisan Differences

Public Policy's Global Partisan Priorities Republican and Democratic Money from Coal and Gas Companies

Republican and Democratic Polls on Global Warming being caused by Humans

Footnotes:

1. "A Blanket Around the Earth" Nasa: "National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA is a United States government agency that is responsible for science and technology related to air and space. Evidence of climate change found on the climate website of NASA." I used this website for background information about the reasoning behind climate change.

2. "Global Concern about Climate Change, Broad Support for Limiting Emissions", Pew Research Center: "Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. We do not take policy positions." This website was used for the graphs but also for information about trends about the United States and other countries of partisan.

3. "Budget Deficit Losing Slips as Public Priority", Pew Research Center: "Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. We do not take policy positions." This website was used for the graphs but also for information on priority for Americans.

4. "The End of the Partisan Divide Over Climate Change", Forbes: "a leading Internet media company, is among the most trusted resources for the world's business and investment leaders, providing them the uncompromising commentary, concise analysis, relevant tools and real-time reporting they need to succeed at work, profit from investing and have fun with the rewards of winning." This discusses the differences about Democrats and Republicans and the future of climate change.

5. "2012 Presidential Race", Open Secrets: "is your nonpartisan guide to money's influence on U.S. elections and public policy. Whether you're a voter, journalist, activist, student or interested citizen, use our free site to shine light on your government."This talks about which companies funded Obama and similarities to Hillary Clinton.

6. "Hillary Clinton", Open Secrets: "is your nonpartisan guide to money's influence on U.S. elections and public policy. Whether you're a voter, journalist, activist, student or interested citizen, use our free site to shine light on your government."This discusses the funding of Hillary Clinton campaign.

7. "Making America the World's Clean Energy Superpower and Meeting the Climate Challenge", Hillary Clinton Campaign Website: "Official campaign site of Hillary for America. Hillary Clinton wants to be a champion for everyday Americans - so she's a candidate for president in 2016." Hillary Clinton's campaign and what she has for when she becomes president.

8. "Oil & Gas", Open Secrets: "is your nonpartisan guide to money's influence on U.S. elections and public policy. Whether you're a voter, journalist, activist, student or interested citizen, use our free site to shine light on your government." Which oil and gas companies fund Democrats and Republicans.

9. "Sorting out Hillary Clinton's Fossil Fuel Contributions", Politifact: "PolitiFact is a project of the Tampa Bay Times and its partners to help you find the truth in politics. Every day, reporters and researchers from PolitiFact and its partner news organization examine statements by members of Congress, state legislators, governors, mayors, the president, cabinet secretaries, lobbyists, people who testify before Congress and anyone else who speaks up in American politics. We research their statements and then rate the accuracy on our Truth-O-Meter – True, Mostly True, Half True, Mostly False and False. The most ridiculous falsehoods get our lowest rating, Pants on Fire." This discusses the conflict between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders about fossil fuels.

10. "For Earth Day, here's how Americans view Environmental Issues", Pew Research Center: "Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. We do not take policy positions." This discusses the Earth Day information and what happens.

(11) "Global Warming the greatest scam in history' claims founder of The Weather Channel" June 9, 2015: Express - "A daily national middle market tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom."
(12) "Reagan's First Inaugural: "Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." January 20, 1981: The Heritage Foundation - "Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution—a think tank—whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."
(13) "Climate change and the Republican party: 'America is not a planet'" November 23, 2015: The Guardian - "Covering American and international news for an online, global audience."
(14) "Climate Hustle" April 27, 2016 :CFACT - "Today, CFACT is a respected Washington D.C.-based organization whose voice can be heard relentlessly infusing the public-interest debate with a balanced perspective on environmental stewardship and other important issues.  With an influential and impressive scientific advisory board, effective collegiate program on U.S. college campuses, CFACT Europe, official United Nations’ NGO representation, Adopt-A-Village project, Global Social Responsibility program, and “Just the Facts” daily national radio commentary, CFACT continues to offer genuine solutions to today’s most important global challenges."
(15) "A Widening Gap: Republican and Democratic Views on Climate Change" October 2008: Environment Magazine - "Now in its 54th year of publication, Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development analyzes the problems, places, and people where environment and development come together, illuminating concerns from the local to the global. More readable than specialized journals and more timely than textbooks, Environment offers peer-reviewed articles and commentaries from researchers and practitioners who provide a broad range of international perspectives. This ISI-rated magazine also features in-depth reviews of major policy reports, conferences, and environmental education initiatives, as well as guides to the best Web sites, journal articles, and books."
(16) "Republican Views on Global Warming" June 14, 2015: Republican Views - "Our mission is to report on Republican politicians’ and the Republican Party’s views and beliefs on the issues in a fair and unbiased way. All of our articles are original, well-researched, and unbiased. We are a reputable source on Republican views and beliefs."