The summer of 1988 was, at the time, the hottest recorded summer of all time. Accompanied by wildfires and droughts, scientists tend to point to 1988 as the first overarching recognition of climate change. Since then, the amount of awareness dedicated to climate change has continued to grow. However, politicians on both sides of the aisle use climate change as political leverage. This is simply unacceptable, especially given that 2024 became the hottest year on record. Climate change is a global issue that is in desperate need of urgent action — one that requires collaboration, not political division.
The polarization over climate change comes from distinct differences in fundamental beliefs, which have become increasingly more political. Specifically, it dates back to greenhouse emissions. In the late 20th century into the early 2000s, the Republican population took a strong stance opposing the attempted reduction of greenhouse bans, wanting to protect businesses. Politicians capitalized on this division and made it into one of the most divided issues of the day. “Climate change” has become a buzzword of sorts, one that can be endlessly tossed around with no real resolution.
According to the Center for Climate Change Communication, around 70 percent of Americans believe in climate change, while a minimal 15 percent are essentially “climate change deniers.” In Trump's first few weeks in his second term, his administration had already logged around 45 actions to roll back climate change legislation. Some of his very first actions in office included withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, increasing oil production (liquid fossil fuels), and halting the transition to fully electric vehicles. Specifically, the Paris Agreement’s purpose is to place more global importance on improving climate change, and involves over 195 countries; it has been instrumental in executive action to control the impacts of climate change. Similarly, fossil fuels and gas cars have been one of the main sources of climate change, and these actions will likely prove to be incredibly detrimental to any progress being made.
In 2023, the earth was measured to be 2 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than it was in 1850. Every year is hotter than the one before, and humans’ and animals' environment is being affected – whether it’s rampant wildfires or melted ice caps. Despite the indisputable evidence, Trump has vocalized his climate change skepticism numerous times throughout his political career, even saying in a 2015 interview that climate change was a “hoax.” Nonetheless, it seems entirely plausible that all of these actions are simply a way to gain power and popularity and another way to create distinction between political parties. For instance, in 2008 Trump signed an advert that expressed support for climate change. While it's entirely possible that his opinions could have changed, it's also possible that taking this stance was the best way for Trump to gain a broader Republican platform, due to the great partisan divide between Democrats and Republicans.
Unfortunately, climate change is our reality now. Every year the danger continues to grow and grow. In seven years, the impacts of climate change will no longer be reversible. Now is simply not the time to deny global warming or actively push back against protective regulations. Trump and his administration are simply not operating for the welfare of the people, and local and federal actions must be taken to discover a way to help our planet thrive.