The signs of global climate change are unmistakable, and the near totality of scientists agree.  As recently as 1997 about half the people from each of the parties believed the effects of climate change had already begun — 48% for Republicans and 52% for Democrats.  Now, having been fed truly incredible bullshit — Trump says it’s a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese — the gap is huge.  According to Gallup, fully 76% of Democrats think climate change is already upon us but only 42% of Republicans agree.

Wait, don’t groan yet, it gets worse.  According to a Pew survey 70% of Democrats believe climate change is the result of human activity, while only 25% of Republicans agree.

Finally, there is a consensus among all Americans that wind and solar industries should be expanded.  Trump wants the financial support of the oil and gas industry, so he mocks alternative energies every chance he gets.  An impressive 80% of Americans are in favor of moving toward renewables.  Trump, his wealthy allies and his exceptionally gullible Republican “base” seem to believe that we should extract every last bit of our carbon inheritance and then think about something that might replace it.  Keep them as far away from actual power as possible.

Actual fact shows that more Americans died of heat-related illnesses in 2023 than in any previous year.  I would hazard a guess that Republicans embrace climate denial because Democrats recognize its lethality.  Nothing is more important to the far right than demonizing Democrats.  They care more about this than they do about dead Texans — Texas also had record heat-related deaths in 2023 — which seems about right to me.