Tag: Climate Change

Joe Heck’s Big Oil Koch Cash

Joe Heck’s Senate campaign has received an unprecedented level of support from the Koch brothers’ political machine, including over $7 million in negative advertising from Freedom Partners Action Fund and the first instance of the Kochs’ LIBRE Initiative “explicitly backing” a candidate. In return, Heck has been a loyal puppet, consistently supporting the Kochs’ interests at the expense of environmental protections and the development of clean energy jobs in Nevada. While preaching steadfast opposition to “crony capitalism,” the Kochs have an interest in preserving tax breaks for big oil, an interest unsurprisingly protected by Heck.

Joe Heck, fearing backlash from his wealthy patrons, has taken every available opportunity to undermine clean energy in Nevada–arguing that the government should “get out of the business” of investing in renewables–while protecting government subsidies for fossil fuels. There’s no question that Heck would continue his fight against renewable energy in the United States Senate.

Background:

Koch Spending […]

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Confessed con artist, foreign policy amateur, all-around ignoramus

When Trump wasn’t being racist or sexist at last night’s debate, he found time to betray his foreign policy ignorance, anti-science views, and con artist mentality.

1.) Trump said China should invade North Korea

“You look at North Korea, we’re doing nothing there. China should solve that problem for us. China should go into North Korea.”
2.) Trump defended cheering on the housing crisis

“That’s called business.”
3.) Trump lied about calling climate change “a hoax.” (He did.)

“I did not.”

4.) Trump admitted to not paying federal income taxes

“That makes me smart.”

5.) Trump admitted to stiffing small business owners

“Maybe he didn’t do a good job and I was unsatisfied with his work.”

6.) And claimed that a federal agency endorsed him. (Wrong again!)

“I was just endorsed by ICE; they’ve never endorsed anybody before.”

Donald Trump: Con artist, foreign policy amateur, all-around ignoramus. 

Unfit to be commander in chief.

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Joe Heck & Sharron Angle, Climate Change Deniers

On Earth Day, American Bridge is highlighting Congressman Joe Heck and Sharron Angle’s poor records on environmental issues.

“GOP senate candidates Joe Heck and Sharron Angle are unconcerned with protecting Nevada’s natural wonders and resources. Their records show a commitment to big polluters like the Koch brothers and oil companies over the Silver State’s environment,” said American Bridge President Jessica Mackler. “Ignoring scientific evidence, Angle and Heck have joined the GOP ranks in climate change denial. Nevada’s next senator should believe in combating climate change, not in boosting billionaires’ bottom lines.”

Background:

Joe Heck

Climate Change Denier

2012: HECK AVOIDED DIRECTLY ANSWERING IF HE BELIEVED CLIMATE CHANGE WAS OCCURRING…

October 2012: When Asked If He Believed Climate Change Was Happening, Heck Declined To Answer The Question. According to Public Radio International, “To clarify, I asked Heck if he believes climate change is happening. ‘Well, I think certainly over the millennia, we’ve seen changes in our climate both ways, and […]

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Florida GOP Field Ignoring Serious Threat Posed By Climate Change

Florida GOP Field Ignoring Serious Threat Posed By Climate Change

On Earth Day, American Bridge is highlighting the Florida GOP field’s awful records on environmental issues.

“Floridians are already seeing the effects of climate change, and rising sea levels pose a serious threat to the state’s residents and wildlife. However, the Republican senate candidates are set against taking action to abate pollution and environmental damage,” said American Bridge President Jessica Mackler. “The GOP field needs to go beyond recognizing climate change as a reality — they should support important programs that will help rein in emissions and protect the environment.”

Background:

Florida

Jolly

Jolly Admitted Climate Change Was A Problem But Refused To Do Anything About It

Jolly Said That He Was “Sick And Tired” Of The GOP Position On Climate Change And Said That Congress Needs To “Stop Arguing About The Science.” According to Tampa Bay Times, “It was something few Republicans say and the crowd in Tampa ate it […]

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Mark Kirk’s No Moderate On Environment

On Earth Day, American Bridge is highlighting Senator Mark Kirk’s poor record on environmental issues.

“Senator Mark Kirk claims to be a moderate who cares about protecting the environment, but his record shows a commitment to big polluters,” said American Bridge President Jessica Mackler. “Sen. Kirk voted to cut funding to the EPA, block the Clean Power Plan, and delay important health protections. Despite acknowledging the dangers of climate change, Sen. Kirk continues to put Illinois’s natural resources at risk.”

Background:

Mark Kirk

Bad For The Environment

KIRK AGREED THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL AND CAUSE BY HUMAN ACTIVITY

January 2015: Kirk Voted To Agree That “Climate Change Is Real,” That It “Is Caused By Human Activities,” And That The U.S. Must Back Research And Development Of “Clean Fossil Fuel Technology.” In January 2015, Kirk voted for an amendment that, according to the Congressional Record, stated, “It is the sense of Congress that Congress is in agreement with the opinion of […]

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Kelly Ayotte Prioritizes Koch Brothers and Big Oil Over Protecting The Environment

On Earth Day, American Bridge is highlighting Senator Kelly Ayotte’s poor record on environmental issues.

“Senator Kelly Ayotte claims to be a moderate who cares about protecting the environment, but her record shows a commitment to big polluters like the Koch brothers and oil companies instead of to keeping the Granite State green,”said American Bridge President Jessica Mackler. “Sen. Ayotte advocated for reining in the EPA and voted to protect tax breaks for corporate polluters and increase offshore drilling. Despite acknowledging the dangers of climate change, Sen. Ayotte continues to put New Hampshire’s natural resources at risk in order to boost profits for her billionaire buddies.”

Background:

Climate Change

2010: Ayotte Signed An Americans For Prosperity Pledge To Oppose Legislation Relating To Climate Change

2010: Ayotte Signed A Koch Brothers Pledge To “Oppose Legislation Relating To Climate Change That Includes A Net Increase In Government Revenue.” According to the New Republic, “[Ayotte] once pledged to Americans for Prosperity—the […]

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John McCain, Climate Change Denier

On Earth Day, American Bridge is highlighting Senator John McCain’s poor record on environmental issues.

“Senator John McCain’s record on environmental issues is a disgrace to Arizona. He and his fellow Washington Republicans have voted against fighting climate change and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, refusing to acknowledge the need to protect the environment,”said American Bridge President Jessica Mackler. “Preserving Arizona’s natural wonders and resources should be a priority for Sen. McCain. Instead, Sen. McCain has joined the GOP ranks in climate change denial.”

Background:

John McCain

McCain: Human Caused Climate Change Denier

VOTED TO DENY CLIMATE CHANGE WAS OCCURRING

2015: McCain Voted Against Agreeing That “Climate Change Is Real,” That It Was “Caused By Human Activities,” And That The U.S. Must Back Research And Development Of “Clean Fossil Fuel Technology.” In January 2015, McCain voted against an amendment that, according to the Congressional Record, stated, “It is the sense of Congress that Congress is in agreement with […]

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“Not A Scientist” Republicans Will Reverse President’s Climate Change Progress

Between last month’s historic climate agreement in Paris and the increased EPA regulations on carbon pollution, it’s been an exceptional year for President Obama’s climate change agenda. While the president has shown the country how to be a global leader, “I’m not a scientist” might as well be a free space on your Republican debate bingo card.

 

Pandering to top donors like the Kochs and big oil, GOP candidates continue to come up with new and creative ways to deny, deny, deny climate change despite that a majority of Republican voters belive its real. Even Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump who “can’t be bought” believes climate change is a Chinese hoax to weaken the American economy.

 

 

2015 was the second hottest year on record and the Department of Defense believes “climate change… poses immediate risks to U.S. national security,” but instead of taking this issue seriously, Republicans will continue to ignore science […]

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The Year Trump Took Over, Pt. 5: Anti-Science Climate Change Denial


Earlier this month leaders from 195 countries celebrated the adoption of a historic, years-in-the-making agreement formalizing a global commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions and curb the impact of climate change. Meanwhile, the GOP primary has us dealing with a slew of “I’m not a scientist” climate change deniers.

“Unless somebody can prove something to me, I believe there’s weather,” Donald Trump said earlier this fall. At other times, Trump’s claimed climate change is a hoax engineered by the Chinese to cripple the U.S. economy. He’s also made the case that snow and cold weather prove climate change isn’t real.

Following Donald Trump’s lead, nearly every GOP presidential candidate denies the scientific consensus that climate change is real and man-made. And not one candidate believes substantive action should be taken to do anything about it. Why? Because this is the year Trump took over:

New Republic describes Marco Rubio, who certainly doesn’t think climate change is man-made or that […]

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GOP Field On Climate Change: I Don’t Understand The Problem And I Won’t Respond To It

If you’re a Republican running for president, you’re more likely than not a climate change-denier. And if you do recognize the scientific consensus that climate change does exist, you certainly don’t think anything should be done to stop it.

The New Republic describes Marco Rubio, who certainly doesn’t think climate change is man-made or that anything should be done about it, as “the most dangerous GOP candidate on climate.” Front-runner Donald Trump’s bold stance on the issue? “Unless somebody can prove something to me, I believe there’s weather.” Asked about his climate change-denial earlier this fall, second-place Ben Carson wisely noted, “Any point in time, temperatures are going up or temperatures are going down,” before pivoting to what he apparently sees as a more pressing matter: “These are all very complex things. Gravity, where did it come from?”

Representatives from 195 countries around the world are in Paris seeking a collaborative, global solution […]

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