this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2023
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There are no solutions to climate change that are contingent on a particular party being in power in a single nation when the problem isn't confined to a single nation. Making the environment about Democrats over Republicans is wildly dangerous because it breeds contentment: people think they did their part in electing the "right" person and stop giving a damn. Politics isn't going to offer a solution to climate change, but they'll certainly tell you they've got em.
Tell me you're okay with being lied to in order to be made afraid, tell me you're okay with science being misrepresented for political brownie points, and I'll tell you you're no better than a grubby politician yourself, because that's all that standpoint serves. Political brownie points. It's "ends justify the means" logic. "Its fine to fear monger and lie and misrepresent facts as long as you're doing so on support of the right ideology" is wildly stupid and dangerous reasoning.
Who is lying and fearmongering? The only ones lying or misrepresenting data are people who deny that climate change is happening or that it's as severe as it is.
And while I have no faith in Democrats in the US to do anything meaningful, because they haven't, it's undeniable that when Republicans are in power, things get significantly worse. In the US we have one party that has no spine or will to do anything, and another that is not only actively denying climate change, but seeks to continue actions that accelerate it, all while gutting regulatory bodies and dismantling previous efforts.
However
If you think scientists and activists are lying and misrepresenting the data, then you haven't actually looked at the data. I'm not going to debate the realities of climate change with you or anyone else. The data is incontrovertible. There aren't two sides here, and debate only gives credence to people who try to claim it isn't happening.
The core of the issue is human greed. And that greed is given free reign under capitalism. Capitalism is the problem, and it's end is the only way forward. That is a political issue and, short of people forming militias and destroying fossil fuel companies, is going to have to be dealt with in a political arena.
Notice that never once have I said "vote Democrat" or "I endorse fearmongering to get people to vote Democrat"
I'm also just going to hop in here to note that you two seem to be making fairly similar points:
While there are clearly some differences in worldview here, it might be more productive to explore where you can find common ground on this issue.
I might be wrong, but I suspect that if I were to ask both of you to discuss what it is we should actually be doing about climate change I'd get two very similar responses, probably just differing on which things should get the most emphasis. (In fact, I am asking that, if you feel you can take the time to answer.)
I would argue that only politics is going to offer a real solution here. Individual actions can help, but climate change is a huge problem that will take coordination on a massive scale to deal with. Politics is how we do that. "Politics" means much more than just which box you tick come election season.