Global warming denial: mixing science and politics
- Beth Ennis
- Feb 10, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 9, 2019
When topics that rely entirely on scientific knowledge enter the realm of politics, it's a bit of a concern to say the least. There are several examples of this that can be seen today, but one topic that continues to rear its head (thanks in part to US President, Donald Trump) is doubt over the severity and even the existence of global warming.
Over the years, there have been many developments and debates surrounding this issue. The specifics around the theory of climate change have been disputed by many scientists, but the fact remains that there is solid evidence that the planet is getting warmer. In fact, as the global population rises, the speed at which the planet has warmed has increased. This is – in short – the evidence that most people accept as proof that humans are having an impact on global warming.
However, not everyone believes this to be true. Of course, there are always those who doubt certain theories. It's difficult not to cross over into an argument about free expression when looking at what is suggested by these individuals. They are entitled to their opinions, but is there a point when those opinions become dangerous to promote? The issue truly begins when an important global figure takes an extreme stance.
Donald Trump has a long history of going back and forth on his opinions about climate change. Although he has admitted that it is a concern in the past, his most recent take on it indicates that he believes it to be a sham. Recently, certain parts of America have seen extremely cold temperatures, caused by a polar vortex. In response to these conditions, Trump tweeted this:
Taboo has spoken to Fiona McKenna, a coordinator of the Lincoln Green Party and an advocator for action over climate change. When we talk about Trump’s most recent tweet on the topic, she laughs in disbelief over his “bizarre logic”. She references a meme that has been used to poke fun at the President’s way of thinking, which shows someone denying that the Titanic is sinking as part of it is going upwards.
It's thought by many members of the scientific community that any form of extreme weather – whether it is cold or hot – can be linked to climate change and human impact on the planet. However, it's not just Trump who seems to feel that human impact on climate change has been sensationalised by activists, the media and scientists.
Fiona disagrees.
“Climate change is the most important issue of our time. It’s global, it will affect everyone on every continent regardless of their age, wealth or any other factor. It’s securing the survival of our own species, so nothing can be more important than that.”
She also wonders whether those who deny climate change have anything to gain from taking this stance.
“My initial response is what are they gaining from playing it down? Do they have shares in fossil fuel industries and other polluting industries? Or are they just selfish and they don’t want to change their lifestyle in any way to ensure the survival of future generations?”
It's certainly a huge issue to consider and attempt to understand – but that is what makes the fact that it has become some sort of ‘debate’ so worrying. Surely figuring out the science behind it and the rate at which climate change is happening should be left to those qualified to do so? Of course, climate change will always be a political issue, as it requires countries to work together and it requires policies to be implemented to address it.
“Our government is just moving too slowly and they need a fire lighting under them to make them act.”
Fiona references Extinction Rebellion, a UK protest group who come together to demonstrate and attempt to pressure the government into acting over global warming. Their Facebook page, which has over 62,000 followers, reads:
“We and our children will face unimaginable horrors as a result of floods, wildfires, extreme weather, crop failures and the inevitable breakdown of society when the pressures are so great. We are unprepared for the danger our future holds. The time for denial is over – we know the truth about climate change. It is time to act.”
It's easy to read this and see it as an over exaggeration – because we feel like we are not seeing the Armageddon described here. However, extreme effects can be seen both in the UK and abroad. The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, states that between 2009 and 2015, 22.5 million people (that is roughly one person per second) were displaced by climate or weather-related events. Despite this, these individuals do not meet the criteria to be classed as refugees.
It is widely accepted that one of the biggest contributors to the increase of the greenhouse effect is air pollution from cars, factories, planes, etc. Again, this is something many people feel that they are not seeing negative effects from. In London, however, there is an inquest into whether the death of a nine-year-old girl was caused by unlawful levels of air pollution. Ella Kissi-Debrah suffered from asthma and her asthma attacks and trips to hospital allegedly coincided with peaks in air pollution where she lived.
It's concerning that despite all of the evidence to the contrary, there are people who continue to suggest that climate science is a con. How can it be perceived as self-serving to push for action so that families are not displaced and so that wildlife is not wiped out by rising sea levels? Perhaps it is time for the media to stop worrying so much about representing both sides of this argument and to start reporting more on the effects of climate change.
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