US Senators Will Be Forced To Tell If They Believe Climate Change Is Real
In a brilliant move, one U.S. Senator is forcing his colleagues to vote on a bill that says they believe climate change is real and happening.
Despite the fact that 97 percent of climate scientists agree that climate change is real, happening now, and very likely man-made, the GOP has refused to admit this basic fact. Even though scientists believe mass extinction is possible in the next two centuries due to climate change, Republicans have been digging in their heels, refusing to accept scientific facts.Â
For example, Rick Perry lied when he said “almost weekly or even daily, scientists … are coming forward and questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change.”
GOP Senator James Inhofe, the Senate’s top climate change “denier,” wrote an entire book on why he thinks global warming is a “hoax,” prompting Stephen Colbert to say it’s “like Harry Potter for people who thought Harry Potter had too much science in it.”
Inhofe, who ironically is now the Chairman of the Senate Environmental Committee, went so far as to claim Barbra Streisand is behind the entire “scam.” That likely appeals to his base, and the GOP’s base. 77 percent of white evangelical Protestants believe that natural disasters have been so severe recently, not because of climate change, but because of the “end times.”
Many Republicans use the “I’m not a scientist” excuse to support their refusal to accept reality. One group reports that 72 percent of Senate Republicans are climate change deniers. But soon we’ll know for sure who is and who is not a believer in reality.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has attached a bill to the Keystone Pipeline bill that will force his fellow senators to vote on whether or not they believe climate change is real.
“The Sanders measure asks whether lawmakers agree with the overwhelming consensus of scientists who say climate change is impacting the planet and is worsened by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions,” The Hill reports. “Democrats believe the measure could be a tough vote for some Republicans, particularly GOP senators running for reelection in 2016 in states carred [sic] by President Obama in 2012.”
Â
Image via Flickr

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |