Climate Politics Letter

Dear Citizen of 2216,

2016 was a huge year for history. The people of America wanted change. In this election year, candidates from the Democratic, and Republican Party could not be more different. The radical views from Republican Nominee, Donald Trump strongly contradict those of Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders, both fighting for the Democratic Nominee. The issue of Climate Change is one topic that could not be more different between the candidates. Opinions on Climate Change differ greatly amongst the major political parties, whether it is seen as a major threat, or merely a natural occurrence, Climate Change is a topic that needs to be answered.

In order to gain a perspective on the topic, it needs to be clear why there is such differing opinions on something factual, and researched. America in 2016 is ranked 25th globally for concerns about Global Warming by a poll conducted from The Pew Research Center[1]. This number is even more frightening when the fact that only 42% of the US population sees Climate Change as a threat. Relative to Brazil's 75% concerned, this is a problem. Lack of concern is a huge issue. In the late 20’s and 30’s, America was expanding and growing rapidly. People began over farming land, in order to supply a growing consumer market. The over-farming of land led to major agricultural issues. Loose top soil, and dry ground created a ticking time-bomb, waiting to explode. Large gusts of wind would pick up this loose soil creating dust clouds unlike anything America had seen before. This problem originated from a lack of concern. The people of the time may not have known that their farming methods were wrong, but after seeing the effects, it would be impossible not to know that something was up. We are experiencing this today with Climate Change. In the future, we may be looked back as a generation that watched Global harm commence, the same way that we look at the Dust Bowl. It is clear that we need to be concerned with such an issue. This problem needs to be addressed, and resolved.

There is no better place, or time, to resolve the issue than now in the United States. We are a growing nation. America is starting to become less dependant on other nations. In the 70’s and 80’s, America was heavily reliant on the Persian Gulf for crude oil. Today, only 12.9% of oil is from the Persian Gulf. 38.8% of oil that we use is extracted locally(Information from Energy Information Administration[2]). It is know that burning petroleum emits carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas; carbon monoxide, a lethal gas; sulfur dioxide; nitrogen oxide; particulate matter; volatile organic compounds; and lead and air toxics(information from Environment Ecology[3]). It seems strange to use an energy source so harmful to the environment. That raises the question “Why is oil supported by some candidates, but Climate Change not?” In order to find the answer to that question, it needs to be understood why political candidates bring opinion into a factual issue.

Lobbying money to political candidates is not just to help a candidate win, it can be a legal bribe to help accomplish something. Donald J. Trump, Republican Presidential Candidate, has been lobbying money since 1987. He lobbied not to support a party, evident by his support hopping from the Democratic Party, to the Republican Party, but to change law in benefit for himself. He has lobbied for the height limit of a building, number of slots of planes allowed at Reagan International Airport, and to impose a corporate tax on rival Native American Casinos(Facts from Politico[4]). Trump lobbies to benefit his business interests. This is important to know when looking at the Presidential Nominees. Most of the support from lobbyist groups and PAC’s comes from the Oil and Gas industry. In 2012 79$ Million dollars was given to the two parties, 89% of that(53$ Million) was lobbied to the Republican Party(Information from Open Secrets[5]). This is a major influence on the Party financially. It has only grown over the past 15 years. The money lobbied has increase by over 2$ Billion dollars since 2000(Information from Open Secrets[6]).This raises the question “Do Politicians make decisions for themselves, or is it the groups that support and help the Politicians?” The answer is likely that the Politicians are swayed by lobbyist groups. This is evident by Hillary’s support for the Keystone XL pipeline. Only 43% of the Democratic Party supported the endeavor, but Hillary was a major supporter of the build. This is because Hillary received a large amount of money from Oil and Gas lobbyist and PAC groups(Pew Research Center [7]). With this information, it is clear that in order to resolve the Climate Change issue, Candidates cannot continue to listen to the money, and need to read the facts. Climate Change is not just China’s issue, but an issue affecting the entire world, and the next president needs to not only address this, but look for a solution.

Source Footnote

http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/07/14/climate-change-seen-as-top-global-threat/

[1]"Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. We do not take policy positions.” About Us Page on Pew Research Center

http://www.npr.org/2012/04/11/150444802/where-does-america-get-oil-you-may-be-surprised

[2]“NPR is a mission-driven, multimedia news organization and radio program producer. It is a network with a strong base of member stations and supporters nationwide. The NPR employees are innovators and developers — exploring new ways to serve the public via digital platforms and improved technologies. NPR is also the leading membership and representation organization for public radio.”About Us Page on NPR

http://environment-ecology.com/energy-and-environment/92-how-does-oil-impact-the-

environment.html

[3]An environmental study site with publications from peir-edited scientist. A collection of data and information from previous studies, And Research on the Earth and Climate

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/donald-trump-lobbyists-washington-insider-213466

[4]“POLITICO is a global news and information company at the intersection of politics and policy. With publications based in Washington, D.C., New York and Brussels - and continued expansion into various state capitals in the United States - POLITICO has one of the most robust and rapidly expanding roster of journalists covering politics and policy in the world. Since its launch in 2007, POLITICO has delivered journalism about politics and policy making that is more authoritative in its sophistication and nonpartisan perspective than any competitor; that is more useful to people with a professional interest in public affairs; and that is more fun to read for a community of people who love the drama and sheer sport of politics. The central mission of POLITICO, from birth to our current period of growth, has been to help sustain and vastly expand nonpartisan political and policy journalism. We all believe informing readers and holding leaders accountable is and will forever be essential to smart governance, regardless of shifts in technology and consumption habits.” About Us Page on POLITICO

https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/totals.php?ind=E01++

[5]“Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, the Center for Responsive Politics is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. OUR VISION is for Americans, empowered by access to clear and unbiased information about money’s role in politics and policy, to use that knowledge to strengthen our democracy. OUR MISSION is to produce and disseminate peerless data and analysis on money in politics to inform and engage Americans, champion transparency, and expose disproportionate or undue influence on public policy.” About Us Page on Open Secrets

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/

[6]“Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, the Center for Responsive Politics is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. OUR VISION is for Americans, empowered by access to clear and unbiased information about money’s role in politics and policy, to use that knowledge to strengthen our democracy. OUR MISSION is to produce and disseminate peerless data and analysis on money in politics to inform and engage Americans, champion transparency, and expose disproportionate or undue influence on public policy.” About Us Page on Open Secrets

http://www.pewresearch.org/key-data-points/environment-energy-2/

[7]“Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. We do not take policy positions.” About Us Page on Pew Research Center