Global Warming and Politics

These days, politicians seem to be talking a lot about global warming. Some simply reference increased temperatures, while others debate on extreme weather, fossil fuels, the greenhouse effect and alternative sources for energy.Whatever the case, one thing is certain: Political debates over global warming keep getting hotter and hotter.
 
Read on to learn about the politics involved with global warming, as well as how global warming has emerged into politics.

Global Warming: The Basics

Global warming refers to an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's water and air. Numerous scientific studies have shown that, although some variation of the Earth's temperature is natural, the use of fossil fuels and other activities of man have increased the amount of carbon dioxide and other so-called greenhouse gases in the atomosphere.
 
Increases in greenhouse gases have caused the average temperature of the Earth to increase at a rate that is more rapid than normal. This climate change is referred to as global warming.

Global Warming: Impact on Politics

Scientific studies have shown that global warming could have numerous effects, including:
  • changes in sea levels
  • changes in weather patterns that could lead to more extreme weather conditions (i.e., hurricanes, tornados, etc.)
  • extinction of species due to climate changes
  • glacier retreat
  • more deaths caused by disease and extreme temperatures.
  • shifts in agricultural yields.
Considering all the potential effects of global warming, it's no wonder that some politicians want the government to establish laws to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and, therefore, help reverse global warming. These politicians and those citizens who support lower emissions to reduce the progression of global warming believe that it is the government's job to protect the planet for future generations.

Global Warming: Government Action

Interestingly, a recent survey revealed that 55 percent of U.S. citizens believe that global warming requires immediate government action. Although a majority of Republicans (60 percent) think the government needs to take immediate action against global warming, the percentage of Democrats who feel the same is much higher (90 percent).
 
Many believe that the politics involved with global warming should focus on:
  • our response to global warming
  • the environmental impacts of global warming
  • the social impacts of global warming
  • a timeline for reducing the progression of global warming.

Global Warming and Political Divisions

As with many other issues, when it comes to the validity of global warming, politicians are divided. In a recent survey, the following percentages of politicians said they believe global warming is a scientific fact:
  • Conservative and Moderate Democrats: 83 percent
  • Conservative Republicans: 54 percent
  • Independents: 78 percent
  • Liberal Democrats: 92 percent
  • Moderate and Liberal Republicans: 78 percent.
Interestingly, however, only 47 percent of the total number of politicians surveyed believed that human activities are contributing to global warming.

Global Warming and Political Issues

Politicians don't just disagree on whether or not the government should introduce legislation to help stop global warming. They are further divided when it comes to other political issues regarding global warming, including:
  • the cost of global warming legislation and how much money the government should spend to help stop global warming
  • the mandatory reduction of emissions
  • the use of alternative energy sources (e.g., nuclear energy, solar power, clean coal, ethanol and wind power) and the costs of exploring these alternative energy sources
  • whether or not to introduce carbon taxes (taxes applied to corporations for the carbon they burn).
  • whether or not to introduce higher fuel economy standards.