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Bernie Says: No Bones About It, Our Biggest Threat is Climate Change
Candidate's response to Democratic debate question echoes the concern of majority of people worldwide
Oct 14, 2015
When asked during the Democratic debate Tuesday night to name the most significant national security threat facing the United States, Sen. Bernie Sanders did not hesitate to answer: "The global crisis of climate change."
"The scientific community is telling us: if we do not address the global crisis of climate change, transform our energy system away from fossil fuels to sustainable energy, the planet that we're going to be leaving our kids and our grandchildren may well not be inhabitable," Sanders said. "That is a major crisis."
Highlighting their more establishment--and hawkish--perspectives, his Democratic rivals responded with more 'on the ground' threats: current frontrunner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pointed to nuclear proliferation; former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, named the turmoil in the Middle East; former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said a nuclear Iran; and former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb mentioned China, cyber warfare, and the Middle East.
However, the Independent senator from Vermont's response most closely echoed the concern of a majority of people worldwide, particularly those in the global south, where communities are most at risk from the impacts of global warming. U.S. military leaders, as well as President Barack Obama, have also identified global warming as an "immediate risk to our national security"--which viewers Monday evening were quick to note:
Overall, environmentalists and progressives were thrilled to see the threat of climate change given due attention.
Meanwhile, those on the other side of the political spectrum had their take on the matter.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
renewable energyelection 2016progressivesdemocratic primariesbernie sandersnational securitynuclear proliferationfossil fuelsmike huckabeeglobal warmingclimate changebarack obama
When asked during the Democratic debate Tuesday night to name the most significant national security threat facing the United States, Sen. Bernie Sanders did not hesitate to answer: "The global crisis of climate change."
"The scientific community is telling us: if we do not address the global crisis of climate change, transform our energy system away from fossil fuels to sustainable energy, the planet that we're going to be leaving our kids and our grandchildren may well not be inhabitable," Sanders said. "That is a major crisis."
Highlighting their more establishment--and hawkish--perspectives, his Democratic rivals responded with more 'on the ground' threats: current frontrunner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pointed to nuclear proliferation; former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, named the turmoil in the Middle East; former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said a nuclear Iran; and former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb mentioned China, cyber warfare, and the Middle East.
However, the Independent senator from Vermont's response most closely echoed the concern of a majority of people worldwide, particularly those in the global south, where communities are most at risk from the impacts of global warming. U.S. military leaders, as well as President Barack Obama, have also identified global warming as an "immediate risk to our national security"--which viewers Monday evening were quick to note:
Overall, environmentalists and progressives were thrilled to see the threat of climate change given due attention.
Meanwhile, those on the other side of the political spectrum had their take on the matter.
Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
When asked during the Democratic debate Tuesday night to name the most significant national security threat facing the United States, Sen. Bernie Sanders did not hesitate to answer: "The global crisis of climate change."
"The scientific community is telling us: if we do not address the global crisis of climate change, transform our energy system away from fossil fuels to sustainable energy, the planet that we're going to be leaving our kids and our grandchildren may well not be inhabitable," Sanders said. "That is a major crisis."
Highlighting their more establishment--and hawkish--perspectives, his Democratic rivals responded with more 'on the ground' threats: current frontrunner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pointed to nuclear proliferation; former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, named the turmoil in the Middle East; former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said a nuclear Iran; and former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb mentioned China, cyber warfare, and the Middle East.
However, the Independent senator from Vermont's response most closely echoed the concern of a majority of people worldwide, particularly those in the global south, where communities are most at risk from the impacts of global warming. U.S. military leaders, as well as President Barack Obama, have also identified global warming as an "immediate risk to our national security"--which viewers Monday evening were quick to note:
Overall, environmentalists and progressives were thrilled to see the threat of climate change given due attention.
Meanwhile, those on the other side of the political spectrum had their take on the matter.
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