Why Is Climate Change Denial Better than Agreement?

Climate Change  Denial is Just More Attractive

This is Part 2 in a series on Climate Change or Global Warming.  Here’s Part 1.

The science is conclusive that we are damaging the planet with our pollution. So why is there so much climate change denial?

Because climate change really is extremely awkward. Here’s why:

• Solutions involve reducing our use of fossil fuels which currently bring us comfort, convenience and jobs
• Fossil fuels are highly profitable, so wealth is impacted for companies and individuals
• It is claimed that slowing climate change would be bad for the economy, and expensive
• Denialists often get more media coverage
• It means countries need to work together and agree on targets – that’s never easy.
• In many countries, tackling climate change may mean an increasing role for government, which may not be popular.
• Politics are involved – and because climate change is long term, no political party wants to make sacrifices without immediate rewards
• Many people don’t truly realize the implications that climate change will bring
• We would need to change our habits – and admit responsibility for the problem

Let’s look at these briefly.

Climate Change Denial – We Can’t Stop Using Fossil Fuels

There are many possible “solutions” to runaway climate change or global warming. But the main one is to stop using fossil fuels. We can’t do that immediately (even if we all wanted to), because renewables aren’t as well-developed technologically as fossil fuels are. We’re reliant on the grid for energy, and we can’t (yet) power the grid totally with renewable energy. (Also, while many people would prefer to be independent of the grid, there’s business resistance to that. For example, non-grid energy seems perfect for developing countries, so they don’t make the same mistakes as developed countries did. But energy companies like grids).

Climate Change Denial – Wealth and Profits

Stopping using fossil fuels is bad news for oil companies. They not only make massive profits, but they also get various subsidies, tax breaks and other concessions. Exxon Mobil, the world’s largest oil company, knew all about climate change over 40 years ago. Their scientists worked out exactly the damage that oil and other fossil fuels were doing to our planet. And they knew the solution was to stop drilling. But that’s bad for business, so it didn’t become public knowledge.

We live in a world governed by fossil fuels – oil is a kind of international “currency”, and a powerful one. Nations – and politicians – are understandably reluctant to let go of that power.

Climate Change Denial – Expense

Slowing climate change may be expensive – but the alternative will be even more so. What is the cost of clean water and air we can breathe? Investing in improving renewable energy sources just makes sense – they don’t pollute like fossil fuels, and they don’t cause climate change. Jobs are already being created in renewables, and so “clean” jobs will replace fossil-fuel-based jobs. This has happened so often – for example, changing from horse-drawn carriages to motor cars. Change often brings unanticipated improvements. So the economy as a whole will not suffer the dire predictions of the denialists.  Nor will we be plunged back to the hardships of the 1700s, as many have claimed.

Climate Change Denial – Media Bias and Agreement

When a high-profile person posts on social media, they get more coverage than an “ordinary” person. So for example, more people will see tweets from Donald Trump saying climate change is a hoax, than tweets saying we need to act on climate. Social media shapes opinions.

Getting countries to agree on, well, pretty much anything, is very, very difficult. But it’s required if we’re going to protect the planet. The Paris climate agreement was a great start, but its future is still uncertain, and the targets may not be strong enough. Arguments over who emits more pollution, and who’s paying more, are like kids fighting over a candy jar. And politicians don’t think long-term – only as far as the next election. To take action now for something with “rewards” in the future is something that politicians and governments don’t like.

So yes, climate change is very awkward.

How Climate Change is Summarized

Continue the current wealth with fossil fuels, OR lose profits to an uncertain future – that’s how climate change is framed.

And that’s a no-win for the environment.

A more correct way of looking at it is that we are facing water scarcity – and water is life. Sea level rise means some coastal cities and island nations are at risk – not just of being flooded, but also of sea water inundating freshwater sources – the freshwater that we depend on for life. The number of refugees will increase, and we face increasing pollution.

It’s Sad

And you know the really sad part about climate denial? Cleaner air and water are better for you – even if you don’t think climate change is real.

Other interesting articles in this series:

• Is climate change real – or a hoax?
• How we can have energy without worsening climate change
• 100 practical climate change solutions
• What you can do about the everyday climate change denial that we don’t even notice

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Warm regards,

P.S.  Don’t forget to download your free climate change report here!

Related:

• Living off-grid- is it possible – or even easy?
• How many will you get right in this climate change QUIZ?