In the Trump era, it has mainly been blue states that have taken the lead on climate change policy, with liberal strongholds like California and New York setting ambitious goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Now, at least one deep-red state could soon join them: Alaska, a major oil and gas producer, is crafting its own plan to address climate change. Ideas under discussion include cuts in state emissions by 2025 and a tax on companies that emit carbon dioxide.
While many conservative-leaning states have resisted aggressive climate policies, Alaska is already seeing the dramatic effects of global warming firsthand, making the issue difficult for local politicians to avoid. The solid permafrost that sits beneath many roads, buildings and pipelines is starting to thaw, destabilizing the infrastructure above. At least 31 coastal towns and cities may need to relocate, at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, as protective sea ice vanishes and fierce waves erode Alaska’s shores.
—‘Impossible to Ignore’: Why Alaska Is Crafting a Plan to Fight Climate Change
“impossible to ignore” pretty much says it all!
or should it be . . .
“ignore at your own peril?”
At least some people acknowledge that things are changing. No hiding behind rhetoric.
It is accepted widely here that climate is changing and also other factors like plastic misuse is damaging the environment. We have no opposition to such thoughts but implementing action to handle such concerns however is lacking urgency.
I’ve just read an article that India is going to outlaw single-serve plastic bottles. Fingers crossed. Apparently you generate 25,940 tons of plastic waste every day. Wow! Here are some images.
Sad that this had to happen in order from them to start making changes…
But not surprising.
It’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better, I’m afraid.
Unfortunately most politicians are blasé about climate change precisely as your quote says because their own unaffected lives mean it’s possible for them to ignore it. By the time they all find it impossible to ignore, it’ll probably be too late to stop the rot.
They won’t start caring until enough of their voters do.