It appears that in America, we discuss everything but our planet—the one thing that could matter most—when we talk about elections. Jobs, crime, inflation, and healthcare are all significant issues, but ultimately, what use are a job and a paycheck if our entire world is collapsing? Why then do we not discuss it? Why doesn’t the first thing that politicians say and the topic of every argument is climate change? Sadly, the explanation is straightforward: most people don’t feel that something is urgent enough, and our political system and media are too preoccupied with advancing other agendas to give this much thought. And we’re passing up the opportunity to preserve our future because of that diversion.
Where are this election’s climate debates? Not to be found anywhere. Politicians spend too much time arguing over who said what. We are fed the same old script by politicians while our world burns away.
In regards to climate change, the truth is that we are being let down by both political parties. The majority of Republicans view climate science as a recommendation rather than an urgent reality. Many on the right either minimize or completely dismiss climate change, refusing to accept the overwhelming body of scientific evidence that points to its existence and human origin. Let’s not, however, act as though Democrats are innocent either. They may talk a good game when it comes to climate action and green energy programs, but where is the bipartisan consensus? Where are the laws that are truly passed? Rather, since the two parties are too preoccupied with gaining political points rather than addressing issues, we end up with half-baked programs and deadlock.
According to Pew Research (2023), only 37% of Americans believe that Congress and the President should prioritize addressing climate change. Why? Not because people are uncaring, but rather because our leaders are failing to guide. As the earth heats up, the oceans rise, and wildfires flare, they are providing us with a regular diet of diversions, promising jobs, healthcare remedies, or cheaper taxes. They have made the decision to concentrate on issues that divide voters and keep them in power.
We’re paying the price because the media only covers what sells, not what matters.
It is impossible to overestimate the influence of the media on the public’s perception of important topics. But they would rather concentrate on sensationalism than use that enormous ability to draw attention to pressing problems like climate change. Where is the reporting on the things that really count? Hurricanes caused by warming oceans, record heatwaves, and other climate-related tragedies hardly receive more than a day or two of media attention before the next scandal breaks. In an ideal world, politicians would be held responsible by the media for their inaction on climate change. During the debates, they would question the candidates on their plans to address climate change and seek answers on how they would handle the most existential threat of our time.
No, that isn’t what garners ratings or clicks. We are subjected to nonstop news of politicians slandering one another, pointless election updates, and talk show hosts debating everything but the important issues. And now here we are, watching as the media contributes to voter distraction, our future slipping away from us.
Research indicates that when compared to political or economic scandals, media outlets—particularly cable news—cover climate issues at a disproportionately low rate (Project for Excellence in Journalism, 2023). It’s a flagrant failure that prevents voters from seeing how serious the situation is. The truth is that the reason we aren’t informed is because climate change doesn’t make for an interesting enough headline.
Things like “Childless Cat Lady” excite us more.
Political Rifts, and a Culture That Lives on Division Prevent Us from Concentrating on the Important Things. Politicians and the media are not the only ones at fault; short-term thinking seems to be rewarded throughout our entire culture. Why? Because having the difficult talks about climate change is more difficult than talking about topics like job stability, growing gas prices, or even healthcare expenditures. Furthermore, it’s easier to act as though climate change doesn’t exist because, let’s face it, nobody wants to be told they might have to alter their way of life or pay more in taxes to handle it.
The electorate is worn out, demoralized, and overburdened. They have been hearing about climate change for decades, and it is simple to ignore it if no noticeable changes occur right away. In this country, just a small portion of the public considers climate change to be a priority. Add to that a deluge of politicized news sources that either downplay or overcomplicate the issue.
There is division even among political parties. While younger generations see climate action as vital to their survival, Republicans, especially older people, often consider it as too expensive or unneeded. But location is also important; age is not the only factor. It makes sense that in states with high fossil fuel usage, fear of losing one’s employment takes precedence over environmental concerns. The myth that climate action means job loss has been pushed to coal and oil industry workers for decades. However, analysts such as economist Mark Zandi have refuted that claim, highlighting the possibility of millions of new jobs being generated by the green energy sector (Moody’s Analytics, 2022). But the din of false information drowns out that message.
Why We’re Not Moving Forward and How We Can Make Climate Change a Priority
This isn’t how things have to be. Although it doesn’t have to be, politicians and the media have made climate change a political issue. They have deepened the divide and elevated the debate over ideology over climate science, rather than fostering consensus. Republicans disregard it, while Democrats support it but don’t go far enough to enact significant legislation. The rest of us, on the other hand, are left to wait for the disastrous future that we know is inevitable but are helpless to avert.
It’s time for us to expect more from our leaders. Our government ought to put environmental preservation above narrow economic considerations. Instead of the newest sensational soundbite from a politician, we should have access to media sources that address important and pertinent subjects. Most essential, we ought to be aware of the effects of climate change, given the tools we need to combat it, and involved in the process before it’s too late.
We will continue to slide toward an avoidable catastrophe if we don’t hold our politicians responsible for their inaction on climate change. Furthermore, voters will continue to be sidetracked and focused on other issues that, while significant, pale in comparison to the existential peril that faces all of us if the media does not begin to raise awareness of this issue.
In the end, insisting that politicians take action on climate change is just as important as simply supporting those who seem to care about the issue. The time is running out, and if we don’t have a habitable earth to preserve, it won’t matter how secure our jobs are or how good our healthcare is.
