Why We Need to Reach American Climate Change Deniers

While there are a growing number of people that accept the facts about our climate, almost one third of Americans are putting the survival of our species at risk. The industrial revolution took 200 years, if we are to survive, the sustainability revolution will need to make substantial changes in one tenth of that time. Time is running out, and unless we can find a way to get through to those who refuse to see the facts, we risk failing to make the needed changes in the time we have available. 

Bill McGibben: The Planet Wreckers

It’s been a tough few weeks for the forces of climate-change denial. First came the giant billboard with Unabomber Ted Kacynzki’s face plastered across it: “I Still Believe in Global Warming. Do You?” Sponsored by the Heartland Institute, the nerve-center of climate-change denial, it was supposed to draw attention to the fact that “the most prominent advocates of global warming aren’t scientists. They are murderers, tyrants, and madmen.” Instead it drew attention to the fact that these guys had over-reached, and with predictable consequences.

Video: Newt Gingrich & Nancy Pelosi Ad to Combat Climate Change

Before Newt Gingrich was running for the GOP presidential nomination he was a leading advocate to combat climate change. This ad is part of the "We Can Solve It" global warming ad campaign sponsored by former Vice President Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection.

Video: Newt Gingrich on Climate Change "The Evidence is Sufficient"

Before running for President, Newt Gingrich was an advocate supporting efforts to combat climate change. In this video he is seen saying, "the evidence is sufficient...to move towards most effective possible steps to reduce carbon loading." He even talked about the need for "green conservatives." He also addressed Republican concerns about big government but he went on to say that we need to discuss "whats the most effective way to solve it rather than get into a fight about whether or not to solve it."

Huntman's Belief in Science Was His Undoing

Utah governor Jon Huntsman's Presidential campaign came to an end when he said, ‘I respect science.’ This is political suicide for anyone seeking the GOP presidential nomination.

Failed GOP 2012 Presidential Candidates on Climate Change

Republican's confusion on climate change is well known, but this ignorance is not only a defining feature of those left in the GOP presidential race, it also applies to those who dropped out. Here are the views of three Republican candidates who are not longer in the 2012 race. At one time these candidates were viewed as the most promising contenders for the Republican nomination for President. The list of failed popular contenders includes Rick Perry, Michelle Bachmann, and Herman Cain.

In His Own Words Santorum on Climate Change Part 2

As revealed in a Treehugger article titled Rick Santorum Has Absolutely No Idea What He is Talking About, Santorum has some convoluted ideas. Here is his response to a man in New Hampshire who questioned him about climate change:

In His Own Words Santorum on Climate Change Part 1

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has made a slew of absurd statements about climate change. Not only does he believe that climate change is a hoax, he refers to the large body of scientific evidence as "bogus" or "junk." Rather than rail against Santorum for his lack of understanding, here are a few examples that effectively illustrate his ignorance:

Santorum's Unwavering Opposition to Climate Science

Santorum has criticized President Obama for embracing climate science, but he has also offered similar criticisms to fellow Republicans. Santorum is unique amongst those vying for the Republican nomination in that, unlike his rivals, he has not had to change his views on climate change.

GOP Presidential Hopefuls Gingrich and Paul's Climate Change 180s

Republicans seeking the presidential nomination have been forced to abandon their scientific assessments of Climate change. Republican flip flops on climate change are evidenced by the positions of the GOP presidential contenders. Here is a brief summary of the changing views of Republican candidates Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul.

Video: Conservatives Against Republican Ignorance on Climate Change

This video is about the changing views of Republicans. On the one hand you have the GOP presidential candidates on the other hand there are thinking Republicans. At the moment they appear to be moving in opposite directions. It is widely recognized that running for the GOP presidential nomination also involves running from climate change. However there is a group of Republicans who want to change the anti-scientific stance of the party. One such group is New Hampshire Republicans for Climate. They want their party leaders to adopt responsible policy positions that acknowledge the facts and respond to climate change.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Video: The Republican War on Climate Science

Republicans and their corporate masters for years have been trying to keep the truth about climate change from reaching the American public. They work tirelessly to tell us that the earth isn't getting hotter; or that there is no scientific consensus that global climate change is real; or even that climate change is a good thing because its going to open up shipping routes in the arctic. Their latest efforts, however, go far beyond their usual tactics, as they're now trying to get their anti-science agenda taught in public schools. Mike Papantonio discusses this issue with Chris Mooney author of Republican War on Science.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Video: Gingrich's Absurd Dismissal of Climate change

Newt Gingrich, once believed in climate change, but like others seeking the GOP presidential nomination, he has found religion on climate change and now dismisses it at every opportunity. The 2012 Republican presidential candidate claimed he was qualified to deny climate change science because he is an "amateur paleontologist". In this video, the Young Turks host Cenk Uygur makes fun of Gingrich's laughable justification for his denial of climate change.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Video: Republicans Anti-Scientific Stance

Here is an interview with Adam Lee in which he reviews how Republican presidential hopefuls all seem to have at least one thing in common -- they hate science. Although there are only four remaining GOP nominees vying for the nomination, the full slate of 2012 Republican presidential contenders shared a common disbelief in science. Being anti-science is de reiguer because this is what those participating in the GOP primary process are demanding from their presidential nominees. For an article by Adam Lee titled "Why the Anti-Science Creationist Movement Is So Dangerous," click here.

Republicans Deny Facts on Climate Change

As the rest of the world is coming to grips with some of the solutions to the difficult challenges posed by climate change, US Republicans are still denying the very existence of global warming.

Romney Increasingly Uncertain about the Science of Global Warming

Republican front runner Mitt Romney seems to being getting more obtuse about climate change as his campaign goes forward. Speaking at a closed-door fundraiser in Pittsburgh, Romney told donors at the Consol Energy Center, "My view is that we don't know what's causing climate change on this planet. And the idea of spending trillions and trillions of dollars to try to reduce CO2 emissions is not the right course for us."

Too Dirty to Fail: The GOP's Ongoing War with EPA Standards

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has a motto for industrial plants that would be spared from new pollution limits if Republicans have their way: They are "too dirty to fail." This comment was made by Jackson in response to the GOP who accuse the EPA of killing jobs with thier efforts to provide clean air and water for the American people.

Dems Seek Hearing on Climate to Educate GOP

To address the profound state of GOP's climate change ignorance, Democrats have repeatedly requested formal hearings on the subject. Since May 2011 at least seven attempts have been made by the Democrats to stage hearings. To date they have all been declined by the GOP.Most recently top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee Reps. Henry Waxman of California and Bobby Rush of Illinois cited data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the basis for their hearing request.

Tea Party Candidates and O'Donnell's Constitution Confusion

The Tea Party has already had a powerful impact on the forthcoming midterm elections, however, many are asking questions about the competence of Tea Party candidates.

Jobs are a predictable indicator of electoral outcomes, but the Republicans inclusion of Tea Party candidates, with radical conservative agendas, may test this theory.

The Tea Party movement is putting pressure on Republican leaders to significantly cut spending and taxes, to repeal health care legislation and financial regulations passed this year, and to phase out Social Security and Medicare in favor of personal savings accounts.

Will the Tea Party's radical conservatism succeed? Will misinformation campaigns paid for with corporate cash be enough to cause Americans to confuse political gridlock with advancing the national interest? Will anger cause Americans to overlook the questionable intellects of Tea Party Candidates?

In Delaware, the nomination of tea-party-backed Christine O'Donnell, has clearly helped her opponent, Democrat Chris Coons. Coons has said he supports efforts to control greenhouse gases blamed for climate change. O'Donnell, who worked with Sarah Palin's people, is using scare tactics claiming that a vote for her opponent will cost the average Delaware family up to $10,000. There is no basis for this statement, even O'Donnell was not able to explain how she came up with that number, however, her campaign does make use of reports from the conservative propaganda machine known as the Heritage Foundation.

The O'Donnell campaign has offered some unbelievable soundbites. Christine O'Donnell's now infamous statement, "I am not a witch, I am you" was eclipsed by a classic moment that epitomizes the worst of this new slate of Tea Pary Republicans. On October 19, Christine O'Donnell seemed incredulous when she was told that the separation of church and state was in the Constitution.

O'Donnell, who badly trails Coons, is leading many Republicans to believe that the nomination of O'Donnell, has given away Delaware. Had she not won the nomination, Rep. Michael Castle (R), Delaware would likely have been a Republican win.

Kentucky is a Republican held state where many are also asking questions about the GOP nominee Rand Paul, another tea party candidate.

Of the eight nationally known Tea Party supported candidates, pollsters now say only a few have a chance of winning. But Tea Partiers are involved in at least 35 races across the country.

The Tea Party may end up hurting Republicans more than helping. Polls suggest that in the Senate, the hurt may outweigh the help. O'Donnel is not the only The Tea Party candidate whose questionable grasp of the issues, are undermining Republican chances. In Nevada, for example, Sharon Angle, has improved the odds that Senator Harry Reid, the leader of the Democratic majority, hangs onto his seat.

Americans are angry, but are they so mad that they will vote for a slate of incompetents? We will have to wait until November 2, 2010 to find out if protest votes are enough to carry either the House or the Senate.


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