Soeder, D. J. (2025). The Politics of Climate Denial. In D. J. Soeder, Energy Futures (pp. 71–96). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-83603-9_4
Abstract
Nearly all scientists not associated with the fossil fuel industry agree that the greenhouse gas anomaly in the Earth’s atmosphere was caused by the human burning of fossil fuels, trapping heat, warming the atmosphere, and causing climate change. Despite the preponderance of evidence supporting this phenomenon, including physical principles that have been well-understood since the nineteenth century, the fossil energy industry has steadfastly denied the reality of anthropogenic climate change. By claiming that climate data are “controversial” or “unsettled,” the industry has injected a note of uncertainty into whether or not climate action should be taken. Combined with their substantial financial support of climate-denying politicians, no action has in fact been undertaken in the ensuing 40 years since the issue was first raised, and our society is now more dependent on fossil fuels than ever. The Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022 marks the first official attempt by the U.S. government to address climate change. The acceptance versus denial of climate change has evolved into a tribal issue that has become entrenched in blue versus red American politics.