As a movie buff with a penchant for history and politics, I find myself deeply engrossed in the intricate dance of power that unfolds during election years. The 2000 US election, in particular, stands out as a pivotal moment in our planet’s fight against climate change.
The Year We Lost the Climate is on Radio 4 on Saturday at 8pm. Add it to your collection.
2000’s U.S. presidential election stands among the nation’s most heated, disputed, and peculiar elections – it’s an election often recalled due to a court case over “pregnant chads” on Florida’s ballot slips, which significantly affected the final outcome. This election holds considerable importance for several reasons, with one of the most noteworthy being the impact its decision had in steering us closer to catastrophic climate change, as I delve into during my Radio 4 documentary.
Initially, it seemed like the White House election could yield an environmental advocate championing drastic measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
That year, Vice-President Al Gore, representing the Democratic Party, had long advocated for decreasing pollution levels. Surprisingly, even though the Republican Party is traditionally associated with Big Oil, its leading candidate in the primaries, John McCain, showed remarkable enthusiasm for environmental issues – a departure from his party comrades’ usual stance on climate matters.
As a movie-loving enthusiast, I’d say: Worldwide anticipation soared, believing that whoever emerged victorious would drive a global effort to reduce emissions. The rewards were immense, and the planet – alongside the United States – stood as the grand prize. In the end, it wasn’t one of the environmental crusaders who ascended to Washington but rather oil tycoon George W Bush from Texas.
Al Gore must be haunted by what might have been
Scientists expressed deep regret. According to the former UK Chief Scientist, Professor Sir David King, if either McCain or Gore had been elected, they would have increased renewable energy sources, decreased fossil fuel usage, demonstrated global leadership, and made our current emission targets seem less challenging. “Had McCain won, we would be in a completely different situation. This was a great loss.
What led to McCain’s misfortune during the primaries can be linked back to an orphanage in Bangladesh, where Mother Teresa worked. In 1991, McCain’s wife visited, brought home two ill girls, and eventually adopted one named Bridget. “She’s a wonderful child,” McCain said. “We love her.” As Bridget grew up, she joined her father in his 2000 Republican campaign. However, things took an ugly turn with underhanded tactics emerging.
Backers of Bush employed a tactic called “push polling,” where campaign workers phone potential voters to gauge their opinions. Instead of asking straightforward questions, they subtly presented manipulative questions like, “Would you be more or less likely to vote for John McCain… if you knew he had fathered an illegitimate black child?” Despite denying any involvement, it appeared this question affected some voters’ decisions. Ultimately, Bush managed to secure the Republican nomination and later the presidency by a narrow margin, thanks in part to this underhanded method.
Bush withdrew the US from a climate agreement and increased oil and gas production. At the same time, Gore faced criticism from environmentalists for not vigorously advocating for climate issues out of fear of losing votes. This hesitance may have proven costly as an independent Green Party candidate, Ralph Nader, gained green votes that likely would have gone to Gore. The former VP must be tormented by thoughts of what could have been.
As a movie buff reflecting on the upcoming U.S. elections, it’s hard not to notice the deja vu feeling. Once more, candidates are voicing their concerns about our warming planet, while others dismiss climate change as mere hocus-pocus.
Take a closer look and you’ll notice that Democratic candidate Kamala Harris isn’t entirely eco-friendly. To win over supporters of fossil fuels, she has reconsidered her plan for fracking ban, and intends to continue extracting fossil fuels. However, she is in favor of investing in renewable energy sources and will likely keep the U.S. engaged in global efforts to reduce emissions.
Some of President Biden’s green initiatives are now set in stone, but if former president Trump were to return to office, he has pledged to start drilling for oil on his very first day. With Florida making headlines again due to the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, scientists urge that we cannot afford any further delays in addressing climate change. ROGER HARRABIN
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2024-10-22 20:05