Why is it that conservatives talk about global climate change from the vantage of there political views?

Question

While everyone else is talking about the scientific evidence of global climate change?

Answer 1

Let's be fair - the majority of conservatives accept the reality of man-made global warming.

However, it's true that most global warming deniers are politically conservative, and it's also true that their denial is based entirely on political motivations rather than science.

The reason they talk about global warming from a political perspective is because they can't dispute the science, but they're afraid that addressing global warming will result in some sort of carbon taxes, and force them to change their lifestyles.  It's all based on fear and denial.

Answer 2

Because there is a scientific question and a political question, and they're related.    Politically, the question is, on what basis can the government step in and force radical changes to its citizens' lifestyles.    The answer, in a free country, is, only when it is certain that those lifestyles if unaltered cause some severe harm.    The scientific question is whether the evidence shows this to be true.    The answer is, while a lot of smart people believe it to be true, there's no hard evidence to prove it, and there are also a lot of smart people do not believe it to be true.

Jelly Bean's answer is the typical elitist garbage.    I passed the Bar exam too - first time.   And the CPA exam, also first time.

Answer 3

I do not think that we will ever understand this. My father is one of the people you are talking about. He cannot believe in global warming because Al Gore was somehow involved.

He cannot accept it because the answers involve government doing something.

I asked him and my mother to just say something nice about Hillary Clinton which caused a rant. I asked him to say something nice about socks her dead cat, and my dad is an animal lover. He could not do it.

This did not used to be the case, but I think listening to hours of conservative talk show hosts daily has raised the Republican's anger to such an irrational fever pitch that they cannot think for themselves any more through the anger.

Sounds right to me.

Answer 4

Most of the real conservatives no longer do. The phony konservatives you hear on radio are paid to make a case against it even though they probably don't even believe half of what they are saying themselves. They talk politics, because the facts are not on their side. These people can't win a real debate on the science of this issue, and since they have no science backgrounds, they rely on the ignorance of their listeners to make points that no science educated person would find very compelling. Their only real fear is government regulation of business. Hypothetically,  If GW somehow decreased taxes for businesses, these people would be ranting day and night about how obvious it is that GW is real.

Answer 5

I think education in science and math would help them(both are weak subjects for most American students).

It is sad to see America falling into the 'dark-ages' where science and scientists are sacraficed on the alter of religion and scoffed at by the masses.

I wish these global warming dismissers would spend time learning math and science as they do drinking jack daniels and tying red scarves around their dogs necks.

Answer 6

Because they don't have an argument.

Answer 7

Not all conservatives are like that.  Only the ideological extreme fringe are unable (or unwilling) to discuss science. Hence they repeatedly resort to attacking Al Gore or using the word "liberal" as if calling anyone that immediately discredits them and wins an argument.

Answer 8

I guess they believe in real science instead of junk science.

Without the scientific proof, the AGW issue had to become political in order to survive.

Poor education is part of the problem. They teach the global warming lies in schools and get young children believing it even though the science is flawed.  They have children believing that polar bears are decreasing, the ice caps are melting and other such blatant lies.

As people become educated on the subject they dismiss it for the scam that it is.

It's only the fringe left who won't believe in real science and so they are prone to latch onto scams like these.  They're in the minority, but the left-wing press is very vocal and gives these fringe groups credence.

Answer 9

Actually, the smart ones don't do that.

"Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich challenged fellow conservatives to stop resisting scientific evidence of global warming"

"National Review (the most prestigious conservative magazine) published a cover story calling on conservatives to shake off denial and get into the climate policy debate"

"I believe there is now more than enough evidence of climate change to warrant an immediate and comprehensive - but considered - response. Anyone who disagrees is, in my view, still in denial."

Ford Motor Company CEO William Clay Ford, Jr.

"The science of global warming is clear. We know enough to act now. We must act now."

James Rogers, CEO of Charlotte-based Duke Energy.

Answer 10

The 'science' supporting global warming is extremely weak and full of holes.  Conservatives are, by nature, thinkers...so they realize this.  On the other hand, liberals are by nature sheep, and tend to follow the flock without question.

Answer 11

I doubt this guy is conservative:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/20...

"James Hansen, one of the world's leading climate scientists, will today call for the chief executives of large fossil fuel companies to be put on trial for high crimes against humanity and nature, accusing them of actively spreading doubt about global warming in the same way that tobacco companies blurred the links between smoking and cancer.

Hansen will use the symbolically charged 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking speech to the US Congress - in which he was among the first to sound the alarm over the reality of global warming - to argue that radical steps need to be taken immediately if the "perfect storm" of irreversible climate change is not to become inevitable.

Speaking before Congress again, he will accuse the chief executive officers of companies such as ExxonMobil and Peabody Energy of being fully aware of the disinformation about climate change they are spreading."

I haven't seen any conservatives addressing Congress to arrest Al Gore on the same charges.

Answer 12

Newt's a politician and has mixed opinions. Ford Jr, is the CEO of a failing Company and needs proxies as a mouthpiece, probably one of the most incompetent people to walk the planet(he was appointed to that position because of family heritage and stock control) not because of brain power. Just about every business is going to appeal to public concern, whether they believe it or not. Really a no brainier at this point.