Balancing Priorities: Why We Can't Afford Tunnel Vision on Climate Change

As a conservative, it's natural for concern regarding the resources of our planet.  The narrow discussion around environmental issues focusing on climate change loses focus on other pressing issues.  Systems theory highlights that one input to a system cannot be discounted nor solely blamed on an outcome....but the media hyper focus on emissions loses sight of other pressing environmental challenges that have profound impacts on the health of our ecosystems and communities.  The current scale and pace of environmental degradation is truly unprecedented - and much of it has nothing to do with greenhouse gas emissions despite the political landscape.

Plastics & Toxins

    Take the issue of plastic pollution, for instance. Our oceans are now awash with trillions of pieces of microplastic. These tiny plastic particles find their way into the food chain, with untold consequences for marine life and human health.  When was the last time you walked the shores of one of our lakes or rivers, and not seen trash?  Yet this problem often gets overshadowed by climate change in media coverage and policy debates.

    Also consider the bioaccumulation of toxic substances like mercury in aquatic ecosystems. Fish and seafood contaminated with these persistent pollutants pose direct threats to the communities that rely on them as dietary staples.  Our state, despite claims for tourism & natural beauty - cautions residents about eating fish caught in our lakes & waters.  But again, this issue tends to get lost amidst the din of climate change discussions.

Media Overload

    The pattern is clear: the media, in its endless quest for clicks and ratings, gravitates toward the most apocalyptic and visually striking environmental narratives. And our policymakers, eager to demonstrate action on a "sexy" issue, often end up myopically focusing on climate change at the expense of more mundane but deeply impactful problems - hurting Vermonters with reactionary policy and funneling taxpayer dollars into headline projects.  USA Today recently published an article highlighting the slowing of the earth's rotation over the past million years could be due to climate change.  Really?

Establishing a Balance

    The health of our planet, and the wellbeing of all who inhabit it, depends on tackling the full range of environmental challenges we face - from plastic pollution to toxic contamination to habitat destruction and beyond. Emissions should not be ignored, but it's only one piece of a much larger puzzle for air and water pollution.  Consider this Washington Post article regarding brake dust & tire wear, and how car emissions have improved over the last few years.

Education & Evidence Based Solutions

    Moving forward, we need to demand a more holistic, evidence-based approach from both the media and our elected leaders. We must insist that they devote equal attention and resources to the diverse array of environmental threats, rather than constantly chasing the latest climate-related sensationalism.  More importantly, we need to increase our focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and History (STEM-H).  

    By definition, conservation is the prevention of a wasteful use of a resource.   We need policy makers who understand balance, focus on education, and are willing to conserve all of Vermont's resources - land, air, water, human, time, & capital.  

    Only then can we hope to chart a course toward a financially and environmentally sustainable way of life. The stakes are far too high to allow our focus to be hijacked by the loudest or most attention & money-grabbing narratives. We need real solutions, not just taxes on heating.  Our planet, State, and our children's future, deserve better.