David Axelrod worried climate change fuels US ‘culture wars
Democratic Strategist Concerned Climate Change Has Become a Culture War
Democratic strategist David Axelrod expressed his worry that the issue of climate change has been dragged into the “culture wars.” During a panel on CNN’s State of the Union, Axelrod highlighted the presence of an anti-science, anti-expert sentiment within the Republican Party, which hampers progress on climate change.
Majority of Americans Support Climate Policies
A recent CNN poll revealed that 73% of adult Americans believe the federal government should develop climate policies to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. Notably, 76% of independents and 50% of Republicans agreed with this stance.
Gulf Between Republicans and Democrats on Climate Change Urgency
Axelrod, a former adviser to President Barack Obama, emphasized the significant divide between Republicans and Democrats regarding the urgency of climate change. He expressed disappointment in the lack of proactive acknowledgment from Republican primary candidates about the threat posed by climate change.
Changing the Conversation on Climate Change
Former Republican Utah Rep. Mia Love noted that climate change has gained importance among GOP members aged 18 to 39. However, she argued that the conversation would gain more support from Republicans if it stopped presenting a false choice between energy production and the environment.
Axelrod agreed that altering the way climate change is discussed could sway more Republicans to address the issue. However, he also acknowledged the influence of lobbyists for the oil and gas industry, who heavily outweigh opposition in Congress.
Source: The Washington Examiner
What suggestions did Mia Love and David Axelrod offer for potentially bridging the ideological divide between Republicans and Democrats on the issue of climate change
Democratic strategist David Axelrod expressed his concern that the issue of climate change has become entangled in the “culture wars.” Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Axelrod highlighted the presence of an anti-science, anti-expert sentiment within the Republican Party, which he believes is hindering progress on climate change.
Recent polling data supports Axelrod’s concerns, as a CNN poll revealed that 73% of adult Americans believe that the federal government should develop climate policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. What is perhaps even more interesting is that 76% of independents and even 50% of Republicans agreed with this stance. This data indicates that there is substantial support for climate policies across the political spectrum.
However, Axelrod emphasized the significant divide between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to the urgency of climate change. He expressed disappointment in the lack of proactive acknowledgment from Republican primary candidates about the threat posed by climate change. This indicates that there is a clear ideological split on this issue, which makes finding common ground difficult.
Former Republican Utah Representative Mia Love chimed in on the conversation, noting that climate change has gained importance among GOP members aged 18 to 39. However, she argues that the conversation would gain more support from Republicans if it refrained from presenting a false choice between energy production and the environment. This suggests that framing the issue in a different way could potentially bridge the gap between the two parties.
Axelrod agreed that changing the way climate change is discussed could sway more Republicans to address the issue. However, he also acknowledged the powerful influence of lobbyists for the oil and gas industry, who heavily outweigh opposition in Congress. This acknowledgment suggests that the issue of climate change is further complicated by powerful interests that are opposed to meaningful action.
In conclusion, the issue of climate change has unfortunately become a cultural battleground. While a majority of Americans, including many Republicans, support climate policies, there remains a significant divide between the two major political parties. Changing the conversation and addressing the influence of powerful lobbyists are crucial steps in bridging this gap and making progress on this urgent global issue.
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