Two recent hurricanes ravaging Republican-held districts have not shifted GOP lawmakers’ resistance to stronger climate change action, with most continuing to doubt global warming’s role in intensifying such storms.
Emma Dumain reports for E&E News.
In short:
- Two major hurricanes struck the Southwest, but most congressional Republicans still do not support stronger climate policies.
- GOP leaders argue that global emissions reductions should focus on countries like China and India rather than the U.S.
- Some Republicans favor bolstering infrastructure to reduce storm impacts rather than addressing greenhouse gas emissions.
Key quote:
"It’s all reactive, and reactive costs so much more than proactive measures. If there’s anything I’d like to see from Republican lawmakers around environmental disasters such as this, it’s, ‘be proactive.’"
— Drew Eyerly, conservative outreach director, Citizens Climate Lobby
Why this matters:
Stronger hurricanes are becoming more common, with scientists linking their increased intensity to climate change. The U.S. will likely face higher costs and more damage from such storms unless lawmakers find ways to address both the symptoms and causes of climate-related disasters.
For more: Hurricanes and other disasters rarely sway voter opinions on climate change
