Opinion: Cloud and GOP can't ignore climate change any longer

“In today’s House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on “Fueling the Climate Crisis: Examining Big Oil’s Prices, Profits, and Pledges,” Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) blasted far-left Democrats for their continued demonization of oil and gas companies while ignoring the terrible working conditions Democrats’ “Green” New Deal initiatives have on young children overseas.”- Rep Michael Cloud's House website, Sept. 15, 2022

Cloud toes the GOP line, attacking the Democrats and calling them “far left” for simply recognizing the urgency of our world climate crisis and taking very limited actions to reduce pollution. However, he and his fellow GOP politicos have no solutions at all of their own to offer. Other than to just ignore this critical issue because it does not directly affect the pocketbooks of the MAGA base, in the very short-term.

According to the World Health Organization, climate change is “the biggest health threat facing humanity.” The UN goes on to indicate that the key factors affecting climate change are -- power generation, deforestation, manufacturing, transportation, food production, electrical power and general consumption. But, despite the science and factual evidence, Cloud and the GOP are misleading the base by making believe that there is no problem. And hypocrites that they are, they know that a crisis is upon us. Look at the recent wildfires in Texas as one example.

Climate change does negatively affect both our finances and health, now and in the future. In other words, our well-being and that of our progeny, regardless of political party, income or race.

Our world’s worsening problem with pollution will cause an additional 250,000 people annually to die within the lifetimes of our kids (2030-2050). Further, by the end of this decade, the cost of pollution will reach $2-4 billion a year. Of course, the majority of the people most severely affected live in disadvantaged nations. Their residents are not white or American/European … so Trump, Cloud and the Republican party in general just do not care.

As is true of many issues (such as gun control), Rep. Cloud and those on the far-right attempt to frame the issue as an “all or nothing” situation. For example, we do not need to confiscate all guns to lower crime (what the GOP incorrectly states is the progressive position). But Democrats do say that we do need to have background checks on everyone purchasing a firearm. There are currently numerous state level loopholes, including in Texas.

How is it affecting our well-being? We are experiencing more severe storms, increased droughts, more major fires, rising oceans, worsening ocean pollution, food shortages and worsening poverty, as well as diminished mental health, due to all of the above.

In the case of pollution, there are many reasonable ways to address this growing problem. Although they did not go far enough, the Democrats did address the climate change crisis as part of their recently passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). As described by NBC News, the act’s goals are: “More clean energy, less dirty energy, new punishments for methane leaks and billions of dollars for communities most in need of climate-related help.”

Solar energy development is a key goal of the IRA and funding/tax incentives are provided for related projects. Speeding up the development of electric vehicles is also addressed via funding and tax incentives.

The act will curb emissions that are polluting our environment, including greenhouse gases like methane. It provides for increased monitoring of polluters. The IRA also has grants to mitigate the harm being done to marginalized, severely impacted communities, including in schools.

To sum it up, the Democrats have a plan, even if it is not perfect. They can show the world that emissions and pollution can be tamed if we have the will. Cloud and his fellow Republicans will only continue to complain and procrastinate while the world gets more and more polluted.

Jack Bernard is a retired corporate executive who worked extensively with hospital systems throughout Texas.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Opinion: Cloud and GOP can't ignore climate change any longer