Conspiracies and cynical indifference are the right’s latest climate strategy

A great article was circulated on several media platforms before this month’s solar eclipse.

explains famous things “Battle of Eclipse” It happened thousands of years ago in what is now Türkiye. While the two armies were engaged in a fierce battle, a sudden solar eclipse occurred and the sun was no longer visible. Stunned, the warriors stopped fighting and signed an armistice, ending six years of war and undoubtedly saving many lives.

It is interesting to read this story now, because you can imagine how ordinary people at that time were overwhelmed by the incomprehensible natural phenomenon of a solar eclipse.

It’s also interesting that that solar eclipse is said to have happened like this. a philosopher predicted who paved the way for early astronomy. Eventually, superstitions about celestial natural phenomena gave way to science and rationality.

This process of science replacing superstition has continued throughout the history of human civilization. And that’s generally considered a good thing.

So it’s frustrating to see some in American society determined to turn back the clock. Embracing various forms of science denialism.

It is also extremely dangerous, especially when it permeates politics as it does now.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was an anti-vaxxer For many years.he also says Wi-Fi causes cancerwhich means that antidepressants have the following effects: Blamed for school shooting incident and say chemicals in water It causes children to become transgender. His recent campaigns include: Give room to climate change deniers In the same way.

And he’s not alone. Science denialism, especially when it comes to climate change, is also embedded in Republican orthodoxy.

Donald Trump absurdly claims that the Earth will “It’s starting to get cooler.” And when he thumbed his nose at climate change; Withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Now, environmentalists are deeply concerned that it will get even worse if President Trump serves another term. Not only are Trump’s views well known, but so is his climate change denialism (along with many other views). horrible reactionary ideas) teeth Permeated through Project 2025a blueprint for the next far-right Republican administration.

project 2025 It would force the Departments of Energy, Commerce, Defense, Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center and others to reject climate science. It reorganizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association; Squash “climate change alarmism””

A blow to national security, stop the pentagon We started by considering climate issues in our plans at a time when the climate crisis has destabilizing effects in many countries and could lead to unrest and war.

It is difficult to separate out all the factors underlying the science denialism and conspiracy theories espoused by Kennedy and certain elements of the far right. But it is not difficult to understand the motivations for the climate change denialism of today’s MAGA-led Republican leaders.

The answer is money and the deep pockets of the fossil fuel industry.

And lately, those forces have become more sophisticated.early this year CNN reported He describes the new trend of climate denialism on social media as “the new denial.”

The “new denial” acknowledges that the climate may be changing. But it encourages people to reject action to combat climate change, claiming it is ineffective.

If you suspect this is a thinly disguised industry disinformation campaign, you might be right. As one researcher points out: It said it was “very unlikely” that this widespread change in tone was “the result of organic social media activity.”

On the other hand, rejecting science, whether in climate change, medicine, or any other field, doesn’t just make us less informed. It makes us poorer, weaker and sicker. Millions of people suffer, get sick, and die. cancer alley, COVID deaths Other harms that occur when greed, politics, and willful ignorance combine with science denialism.

That happened all too often during the Trump administration.Researchers at Columbia University and the nonprofit Climate Science Legal Defense Fund report Trump’s efforts to undermine scientific research Contains 154 documented cases Censorship of scientists by the federal government.

That is horrible and we cannot allow it to happen again.

We need leaders who embrace science. That seems like the most American idea.For example, our space program has always A great source of national pride.

We need leaders who recognize that America cannot be globally competitive unless we act. Developing the next generation of scientific innovators. Children are smart. If adults treat science with contempt, his STEM in school will have no meaning to them.

We watch an awe-inspiring solar eclipse that not only reminds us of how far we have come in understanding the world, but also how much further we still have a path to scientific discovery. We need leaders who remind us.

We need leaders who will lead us down the path, not close the door. The choice is ours.

Mr. Svante Myrick People who support the American Way.