February 24, 2013 by David K. Sutton
Climate Change False Choice: Jobs Or The Environment
If there is one thing in the debate over climate change that irks me the most, well, after climate change deniers, it’s the false choice of jobs or the environment. Even if addressing climate change meant the loss of thousands or millions of jobs, that would not be a valid reason to do nothing. Yeah, you read that correctly. Let’s simply face facts. We are all selfish about our wants and our needs compared to the wants and needs of future generations. But as recent climate-fueled events like Hurricane Sandy have shown us, not only are future generations at risk, our future is at risk.
There was a huge climate change rally in Washington D.C. last week. It was billed as the largest gathering of climate change activists. It just happened to be one of the coldest days of the year, which I’m sure made for a few jokes by right-wing commentators. But in 10 years, 20 years and beyond, the climate will continue to change due to human activity, and it won’t stop simply because people choose to remain ignorant.
President Obama does have a choice, but it’s not jobs or the environment. “We will respond to the threat of climate change,” he said during his second inaugural speech. “Knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.”
Well Mr. President, if we are to believe you are committed to combatting climate change it would seem your choice is simple. Be a leader on climate change action and say “no” to the Keystone XL pipeline.
