Why is climate change a political topic?

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00:00Climate change.

00:01Why is it a political topic?

00:03In the U.S., climate change is seen as a hot-button issue because solving it often involves rules

00:07that affect big industries like oil and gas.

00:10These rules touch on deeper debates.

00:12Should the government step in to manage problems?

00:14Or should businesses and individuals decide for themselves?

00:18Many Democrat-led states say oil companies misled people on how fossil fuels harm the

00:22planet.

00:23They support suing these companies to hold them accountable and believe that strong government

00:26action is necessary to protect the environment and public health.

00:30Republican-led states often see these lawsuits as dangerous.

00:33They worry it could mess up the energy supply and make costs go up.

00:36Many conservatives prefer letting the free market work and are cautious about too much

00:40government control.

00:41It's also worth noting that energy companies rely on subsidies and tax breaks from the government,

00:46so they often donate money to political campaigns backing policies that help further their business.

00:51Oil and gas firms tend to back Republicans like Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who received $2.8

00:56million from the industry with Chevron as a major donor.

00:59Renewable groups usually follow the legislation, funding Republicans like Senator Dean Heller

01:03and Democrats like Representative Mike Levin for their clean energy efforts.

01:07At the heart of it, climate change becomes a political issue not just because of the science,

01:11but because of the disagreements over how to respond.

01:13These divisions prompt energy companies to support political candidates who will align with

01:17their interests, influencing public policy through funding.

01:20But what do you think?

01:21Let us know in the comments and follow us here for more.