This story should not be newsworthy as it is long overdue, but unfortunately it is. A headline from a USA Today last week proclaimed “Trump ally Lindsey Graham says president should ‘admit climate change is real’.” Senator Graham went on to say per the article:
“‘I’m tired of playing defense on the environment,’Graham told reporters on Capitol Hill Wednesday as he and other GOP lawmakers announced the formation of the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus, which will ’embrace and promote constructive efforts to resolve conservation and environmental problems.'”
I have written often about addressing climate change. Progress in fighting climate change is happening, but it desperately needs the leverage of the US federal government. Plus, we must alter harmful deregulation to our environment.
Rather than belabor these points, let me say I left the Republican Party about a dozen years ago, in part due to its stance on climate change. My thesis is if the GOP is going to play ostrich-with-its-head-in-the-sand on an existensial threat to our existence, how can I trust its judgment on other issues.
So, thank you Senator Graham for pulling your head out of the sand and asking the US president to join you. As an independent voter and parent, I take seriously the threats to our environment and agree the GOP needs to alter its path on these topics.
musingsofanoldfart 
I read recently that Trump rejected a new report on climate change because “I don’t believe it.” This is a man with his head someplace other than in the sand!
Hugh, I shall not argue anatomical references with a professor. I am curious how much airplay this story is getting given the amount of funding to perpetuate variations of the hoax theme. Keith
I couldn’t have said it better myself, Hugh!
But we know how hypocritical Graham is and how he goes back and forth. I don’t trust him at all.
Mary, I won’t push back on your point. I am just pleased there is a group of Republicans now talking about addressing the issue. I need to do more digging on the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus. There is another group called Conservatives for Renewable Energy that needs more airplay, as well.
My guess is the president will attack Graham once this gets more notoriety. Keith
Note to Readers: Looking forward from before the 2016 presidential election, my worst fear of several of a Trump presidency is the impact on climate change action and planning, as well as environmental degradation. My fears have been realized with the US announcing a pullout of the Paris Climate Change Accord leaving us in a vast minority of nations, the slowing of MPG requirement increases on new cars, putting tariffs on solar panels imported from China, giving freer license to industrial polluters and blessing a bee-killing pesticide when there are major bee colony collapses going on. Plus, we are not talking about our global water crisis and how it is being made worse by climate change.
Quite simply, voters need to ask their legislators why they have not acted and what they plan to do about it. And, that especially includes presidential candidates.
Hmm. While it’s a welcome change to hear a Republican acknowledgment of climate change, I wish it was someone other than Lindsey given that he changes his mind whenever the wind (or Trump) blows.
Agreed. Just today, he cautioned the president on his racist slurs toward the four new women congressional reps. Then, he had to add gasoline by condemning them as anti-Semitic. Did you not listen to the first part of your comments, Senator?
Like a couple of other commentors, I would not be surprised if Lindsey Graham does a 180° turnaround in a day or two, but you are right … it is good that at least some republicans are acknowledging that action must be taken and now! Let’s hope this gains momentum. And, as you said, it needs to also gain the attention of the public. I shall do my part by re-blogging this later this afternoon!
Thanks Jill. We need to get the word out. I have seen little press coverage of this.
I had seen none, and when I Googled Lindsey Graham to see, the first thing that popped up was that he was calling people ‘communists’. Sigh. He has disgusted me ever since turning on his friend, John McCain, and I trust him not one bit, but let’s hope something good comes of this. Yes, we need to put it in the spotlight!
Reblogged this on Filosofa's Word and commented:
With all the news this week being about Trump’s horrendous behaviour toward certain members of Congress, and his latest attack on asylum seekers, and Kellyanne skipping out on subpoena, you most likely missed a few tidbits. Our friend Keith has dug up one, which brings a bit of positive news, a hope that perhaps the GOP are not quite as united on denying climate change as we’ve been led to believe. Thank you, Keith, for bringing us this news … these are things we need to know that are being missed by the media during this feeding frenzy.
Thanks Jill for the reblog.
My pleasure … this needs to be heard, and obviously WaPo and NYT aren’t gong to shine a light on it!
Jill, that and the global condemnation of Trump’s racist remarks are not getting enough airplay. Keith