Blue World, Getting Bluer

The great American climate dilemma

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A rude awakening: the house fire has spread to the foot of your bed, and your first breath of consciousness draws black smoke into your lungs as the flames climb up your bedsheets. Would you put out the fire if it was bad for the economy? The climate crisis does not belong as a topic wedged between podiums on a debate stage, or as a martyr for partisan platforms; it is not a question of where you reside on the political spectrum, but a question of how long we have before it is too late.
Despite climate change’s global relevance, the controversy surrounding intervention is uniquely American. The conditions of modern America have seemingly presented the voting populus with a dire reality: emission reduction would be at the expense of our nation’s economy. However, this great American dilemma is not only invalid, but deliberately manufactured. A false narrative has arisen that demonizes the adoption of climate-conscious regulations and clean energy. Unsurprisingly, high-emission industries are the main proponents of these claims, further reinforcing how “vital” fossil fuels are to the American way.
Institutional resistance to reformation is far too often justified by the economy’s supposed dependence on fossil fuels; in reality, climate intervention could potentially stimulate the economy and provide jobs without pillaging the earth’s natural resources. It is un-American and irresponsible to ignore large, selfish companies holding both our environment and economy hostage. They must be held accountable.