If you’ve managed to avoid current events or intentionally choose to ignore reality, it’s crucial to understand that climate change has unleashed dangerous levels of heat across the globe this summer. Recent reports from two prominent global climate organizations confirm that July is on track to become the hottest month ever recorded, surpassing temperatures seen in the past 120,000 years. A staggering 200 million people, which accounts for 60% of the US population, are currently under extreme heat or flood advisories. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Republican climate deniers continue to dismiss the dire consequences.
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), for example, responded flippantly when asked about the heat, stating, “There is a very scientific word for this: It’s called summer. It’s no hotter right now than it’s ever been. I’ve been in this heat all my life in July and August as a football coach. This world’s not heating up, come on.” Tuberville’s lack of scientific background doesn’t prevent him from confidently disregarding the extensive research conducted by countless scientists worldwide. Last month, when the US Northeast was engulfed in smoke from Canadian wildfires, Tuberville protested, saying, “We’ve had fires for all of our life, come on.”
However, the undeniable truth is that human activities have propelled our planet into uncharted territory. Devastating heatwaves have ravaged the United States, Europe, and Asia in recent weeks. The extent of sea ice surrounding Antarctica has reached an all-time low, and sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic are at record highs. In the Florida Keys, marine temperatures akin to hot tubs have triggered widespread coral bleaching, prompting scientists to scramble to save hundreds of corals from perishing. These alarming graphs depicting Antarctic sea ice and North Atlantic sea temperatures are causing great concern among experts.
During a speech addressing the extreme heat gripping the nation, President Joe Biden emphatically declared that the impacts of global climate change are undeniable. He stated, “I don’t know anybody who honestly believes climate change is not a serious problem.” Yet, in reality, there are plenty of individuals who hold a contrary belief.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), for instance, dismisses the link between human-induced global warming and the extreme heat, stating, “Only in Washington will they try to find an excuse to take something that’s been going on for hundreds of years… to promote their crazy left agenda.” He further added, “Southern Louisiana, it’s always hot. Thank God for air conditioning.” Scalise’s sentiment is echoed by fellow Republican senators who argue against the connection between extreme heat and climate change, downplaying the role of human impact.
Some Republicans do acknowledge the possibility of climate change resulting from human activity, but they contend that efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the West would prove futile as long as big emitters like China fail to take action. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) concedes that increased carbon in the atmosphere traps heat but emphasizes the need to reduce it. However, he asserts that any efforts made by the United States will be marginal unless China changes its emissions behavior.
On Capitol Hill, the GOP is actively pushing an appropriations bill aimed at slashing funding for federal environmental agencies, mandating additional oil and gas lease sales, undermining wildlife protection measures, and revoking over $9 billion provided by President Biden’s signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed by Democrats last year. Right-wing groups have also devised a comprehensive “battle plan” titled Project 2025, outlining steps to dismantle environmental regulations and hinder federal climate action.
Furthermore, the Republican Party is attacking the Biden administration’s endeavor to increase the efficiency of home appliances, such as air conditioners and dishwashers. Conservative media outlets, including Fox News, have dubbed it Biden’s “war on appliances.” The future envisioned by the GOP prioritizes increasing the production of fossil fuels, leading to higher temperatures, while relying on inefficient air conditioning to combat the heat.
Democrats assert that the historic clean energy investments they passed last year are already making a tangible impact, not only by reducing emissions but also by creating green energy jobs and generating a wave of manufacturing in red states. However, they lament the prevailing ignorance in certain circles that allows people to ignore the reality of the world as it is—a dangerous mindset.
As Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) aptly put it, “We’re a country that’s flourished because for a long time, we’ve believed in science and we’ve followed facts. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.” It is imperative to confront the undeniable truth of climate change and take actions based on sound scientific evidence in order to mitigate its disastrous consequences.
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