Climate Change: Is Fear the Right Way to Drive Change?

Global temperatures have been rising, with recent data showing that the past decade has been the hottest on record. The average global temperature in 2025 was about 1.47 degrees Celsius higher than it was from 1850 to 1900. This increase is largely attributed to the burning of fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Fear vs. Action

Some people argue that this data should be used to scare us into action. They say that if we don't change our ways, we're doomed. But is this the right approach? Fear might grab attention, but it doesn't always lead to meaningful change. In fact, it can often backfire, making people tune out the message entirely.

Skepticism and Distrust

Americans, in particular, have grown skeptical of these doomsday predictions. They've seen how science can be manipulated to support certain political agendas. This has led to a decline in trust in science, with only 28 percent of U.S. adults saying they have a great deal of confidence in scientists to act in the public's best interest.

The Politicization of Science

This distrust isn't baseless. We've seen how science has been politicized, from COVID-19 guidelines to climate change policies. When science is used to push a political agenda, it loses its credibility. And when that happens, it's hard to have a constructive conversation about important issues like climate change.

The Importance of Affordable Energy

But we can't afford to ignore the importance of affordable energy. It's the key to economic prosperity. When energy costs are low, businesses can produce goods at a lower cost, and consumers can save money on transportation and household expenses. This boosts the economy and helps families make ends meet.

Consequences of Manipulating Science

However, manipulating science to push a climate agenda can have real-world consequences. It can put people in danger and keep them in poverty. It can also lead to bad policy decisions, like the billions of dollars doled out to political cronies in the name of climate change.

The Solution

So, what's the solution? We need to remove the politicization from the energy sector. We need to have an honest conversation about climate change that's based on facts, not fear. The Affordable, Reliable, Clean Energy Act (ARC-ES) is a step in the right direction. It guarantees access to low-cost energy and moves us past the days of manipulating science to justify changes in energy policy.