In an unexpected break from the usual script of climate-change denial, an estimated 10 Republican members of the House of Representatives plan to sign a resolution acknowledging the effect human activity has had on the change in climate in recent yeas. The resolution planned to be issued on Sep.24 appears to coincide to some extent with the pope’s visit to the United States and could prove integral to flipping the script of blatant denial in regards to the obvious effects humanity has had on the global climate change.
Pope Francis has made his stance on climate change and the imperative need for world leaders to address it quite clear, and we can only hope that this mentality is beginning to rub off on the policymakers of our own country. If anything this move should be applauded and serve to encourage more defection within the ranks of Republican Party.
The small number of defectors displays an acknowledgement of the very real implications of climate change as well as reluctance on the larger scale to be vocal about their dissent. That a portion of these aforementioned Republican House members are not seeking re-election or represent districts more lenient on a moderate stance demonstrates that political motivations still play too large a role in the decision-making that will ultimately affect the world as a whole.
If Republican Party members cannot be persuaded by overwhelming evidence and a conscience, then, unfortunately, other ways of incentivizing action against climate change must be implemented. The transition to energy sustainability and reductions in carbon emissions do not have to derail the economy.
Granted, for those invested in the status quo, the possibility of change is frightening. However, subsidies for fossil fuels cost U.S taxpayers millions if not billions of dollars, and there’s an abundance of benefits for cutting them. According to a survey carried out by the International Monetary Foundation “eliminating global energy subsidies could reduce deaths related to fossil-fuel emissions by over 50 percent” and the amount of money that would be accrued by doing so “is projected at U.S. $1.8 trillion.”
If that staggering amount of capital were instead redirected into subsidies for renewable energy sources and exploring energy alternatives less detrimental to the world, we would be a lot closer to a truly clean future than we are now. The research and motivations for change are apparent, and should be accepted, not systematically denied. Political allegiance will undoubtedly continue to be the primary motivation for many politicians. However, there is a time in which that must be put aside to pursue what is best for the country and ultimately the world. The Republican House members signing this resolution have proven that the time is now.
