The continued use of greenhouse gases has created an uncertain, hot future.
Some irreversible damage to the planet has already been done, but more is sure to follow if action isn’t taken, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.
Rising surface temperature, floods, droughts and rising sea levels; it’s all happening, and it seems as if Republican officials don’t care. According to Pew Research Center, only 10% have it as a top priority, which is in contrast to the 49% in the Democratic Party.
The Democrats do have a higher percentage, but this should be a top priority for the majority of both parties. Climate change is a humankind issue, not a political one. It shouldn’t be up for debate whether or not to do something about it. Seeing words like “partisan” being used to discuss new policies on climate change, health and education is disheartening, to say the least.
Fortunately, there’s a chance. A chance to finally fight back against climate change and create a cleaner, brighter world. Perhaps it’s blind optimism, but the $1 trillion infrastructure bill is a step in the right direction. But, it’s only just a step.
The Senate approved the bill Aug. 10 and was surprisingly supported by both sides. The purpose of the bill is to put the money toward projects such as expanding high-speed internet access, fixing and building roads, bridges and more. The bill includes the allocation of billions of dollars toward climate change, but the sum falls short of the amount Biden’s administration initially wanted to invest, according to The New York Times. Fortunately, there’s another way to give climate change the attention it deserves.
Senate Democrats proposed a $3.5 trillion social policy bill that would expand upon the initial investment for climate change.
The bill aims for 80% of the U.S.’s electricity to use clean energy by 2030. As great as that sounds, it’s important to note it’s not guaranteed. There’s no promise that 80% of energy will be clean by 2030, but it’s a good stepping stone. Also, the bill says companies not trying to make progress toward reduction will be fined. That may not be enough. Depending on the fine, it could be a slap on the wrist to some mega-corporations. Similar to how some crimes are just suggestions to the wealthy.
Research for new renewable energy technologies would also gain more funding. Science has been shoved to the sidelines for far too long because it doesn’t fit a political agenda. Giving scientists the money needed to do their job could yield positive results.
Another proposition is a tariff on countries without restrictions on emissions.
All of these plans sound great. That’s not even mentioning the other stuff in the bill such as free community college, expanding Medicare and more.
But, this could all be a pipe dream.
First, it needs unanimous support from all Democrats in the Senate. Since Democrats have the majority, it doesn’t need any votes from Republicans. There are some moderates in the Democratic Senate which is a cause for concern. If they want to make any alterations at all, it stops the process, delaying the necessary action toward climate change. As scientists have continued saying, we can’t wait too long to do something about it.
If the social policy bill doesn’t pass, climate change could be left as a sticky note with “do something about this later” written in crayon on a refrigerator.
As the Senate keeps bickering about whether or not to pass it, more and more damage is being done. Ecosystems are getting destroyed, people continuously bootlick multi-billionaires that don’t care about their employees and there’s a virus spreading to millions around the world.
It’s no wonder mental health in America is dwindling.
The more delay there is to do something, the more people will die waiting for elected officials to give a damn.
It’s exhausting watching the planet rapidly fade away, hoping that someone will step up and do their job.
