How politics, policy and those in power contributes to climate breakdown
- Those with political power make decisions for the world that affect emissions and the state of our planet.
- Lobbyists for big oil and other large energy companies use their immense budget to influence politicians, causing politicians who do take climate change seriously and seek a solution severely underfunded comparatively.
- People in power use convincing rhetoric to mold the opinions of their peers and viewers.
- Biased news outlets project the policies that benefit their platform and skew or omit data to reflect the belief they are attempting to persude.
- News outlets have the greatest ability to affect public opinion and influence belief systems.
What stops us from pressuring those in power?
- The task of changing policy can appear daunting and intimidating.
- Many people do not know how to influence policy or reach out to elected officials.
- Many people vote based on political affiliation regardless of policies the politician holds.
- Often people do not know where to start or believe that they cannot make a difference anyway.
- Politicians use scare tactics to instill the beliefs, i.e. the economic cost of green policies and combating climate change is too great.
What you can do now
The most important thing to do is becoming more informed!
The biggest impact can be had if you investigate the policies of those up for election, then vote for who's views best align with your own. Reach out to public officials! All congressmen and congresswomen have public contacts. Start local! Before you try and fix a nation, fix your own backyard. Local officials are the politicans who's policies most directly affect your day to day life. This also lays the groundwork for changing the planet from the bottom-up.
How much would this help?
If we are able to elect officials who value our planet and hope to minimize or eliminate the effects humans have on the climate, then their policies would be reflective of that. This would incentivize the industry to change with their ways or get left behind. No true change can come until the political conversation changes as well.
Need help pressuring for change?
United States
Contact the President of the United States →- Find and contact your congressmen and congresswomen →
- Find and contact any elected official →
United Kingdom
Find and contact your members of the House of Lords→ - Find and contact your members of the House of Commons →
- Find and contact your Deputies of the National Assembly →
- Find and contact your members of the Bundesrat →
- Find and contact your members of the Chamber of Deputies →
- Find and contact your Senators →
- Find and contact your members of the Council of States →
- Find and contact your Senators →
France
Find and contact your Senators→Spain
Find and contact your President, Senators and Parliamentary groups/administration →Germany
Find and contact your members of the Bundestag →Italy
Find and contact your Senators →Canada
Find and contact your members of Parliament →India
Find and contact your members of the House of the People →Australia
Find and contact your members of Parliament →Want to read more or find additional ways to help?
- Find protests, petitions and important votes near you! →
- Learn more from the experts at NASA →
- Learn more and protect our oceans with the Oceanic Preservation Society →
- Learn more and protect our forests with Stand For Trees →
- Browse the top 101 web resources on climate change from enivronmental science degree →
- Browse the top 100 climate change sites via World.org →
Want to really dig deep?
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Help change the system
Support the people, groups and parties who prioritise the planet
All global warming could be helped by changes to laws across the world which prioritise the planet. Find your local candidates who promise to prioritise the planet and support them.
Get involved on a grassroots level with activist groups and charities trying to raise awareness.
How can I do even more?
Become a vocal advocate of preventing climate breakdown. You could stand as a political candidate prioritising the planet, or join an activist group or charity.
Why not start your own business or charity trying to fix a problem associated with climate change.
Or simply spread the word to your friends and family, educate them on the issues and the choices they can make to help.
Too long; didn't read?
Pressure those in power help prevent climate breakdown
- Contact elected officials
- Become more informed on policies
- Vote for those who prioritize the planet
- Spread the word so others make changes too
Discover more choices you can make today to help prevent climate breakdown
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