Senior Comms Dir (Climate/Health), Environmental Defense Fund & EDF Action
Senior Comms Dir (Climate/Health), Environmental Defense Fund & EDF Action
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
Will the terrible destructive power of Harvey and Irma be enough to break the partisan stalemate on climate change? Probably not right away — the opponents of action, their base supporters, and their favorite media outlets have been too dug in for too long to change that quickly.
But this could be an inflection point in the national conversation, because these extreme weather events arrived at a moment of extreme political rhetoric, too. The contrast between the anti-science misinformation from our political leadership and the obvious facts is playing out for the American people.
Advertisement
When strident denial meets vivid reality, it creates a political storm, and that’s what we’re beginning to see.
Denial meets reality
Never before has the mainland United States been hit by such a powerful combination of hurricanes in the same season—and never before have we had an administration so loudly and unapologetically deny the reality of pollution-caused climate change.
Whether it’s the economy or war or science, the contrast between propaganda and reality can help shift public opinion. Just as you can’t claim the economy is strong if people see the opposite in their daily lives, you expose the lie of climate denial when you shout it into 185 mile per hour winds.
Will Congress move with shifting public opinion?
Over the last decade or so, public concern about climate change has moved up and down, mostly in reaction to politics. Partisan divisions in President George W. Bush’s first term caused the country to split over the issue. As he grew more unpopular in his second term, so did his lack of action.
Advertisement
Conversely, when President Obama pushed for a law to limit carbon pollution, and later did it by executive and diplomatic action, the divisions around his Presidency hardened opposition.
But public concern has been moving in the right direction lately, boosted by opposition to President Trump’s cavalier attitude about this threat—and that is likely to be accelerated by the latest events.
Congress, locked into partisan positions by gerrymandering and Citizens United-fueled threats from outside interests, will likely lag behind. Look at the gun debate to see how unspeakable tragedies can move public opinion but elected officials don’t always keep up.
That doesn’t mean things won’t change, but it requires organizing, political activism, and perseverance—a storm, no matter how vicious, will not change the politics on its own.
Is it smart to talk about climate change now?
Some have wondered if it is politically smarter to avoid talking about climate change so soon after the hurricanes, to avoid a backlash in a time of crisis. It’s an understandable worry, but I think it’s unfounded.
Advertisement
Many Americans have experienced disasters, to one degree or another, or know someone how has—and they understand that we need to provide both immediate aid and find ways to mitigate future damage.
When I was seven years old, Tropical Storm Doria swept up the Eastern Seaboard and broke a dam on the Millstone River in New Jersey, flooding our house. We’d had floods before, but this one rose to six feet in our living room.
After a few nights sleeping on the floor of the church across the street, we came home and found everything we owned was ruined.
For a kid, the whole thing was more interesting than scary—I remember being fascinated that the mayor of a town of 200 people wore a gun on his belt in case there was looting—but for my parents it must have been devastating.
The people of Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean are going through something much worse. The level of destruction is far greater. There’s the soup of toxics from chemical plants and industrial facilities in Houston.
Advertisement
Helping them and the rest of the country understand that this is, in part, a consequence of the pollution we’re putting in the atmosphere is simply a matter of dealing with the real facts. In a democracy, that’s how we make progress—public discussion of the facts, and a debate about solutions.
Human activity is causing stronger storms, but it’s political inactivity that is endangering our future.
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.