Essay Questions

How do critics undermine climate change activists?

Klein admits, “Those of us who advocate for this kind of transformative platform are sometimes accused of using the climate crisis to advance a socialist or anticapitalist agenda that predates our focus on the climate crisis.” The anti-climate change critics utilize the socialism versus capitalism binary to subvert the messages on climate change. This binary construes the climate change activists as opponents of capitalism which is instrumental in the economic strengths of nations. Depictions of the activists as opponents of economic development render them unbelievable before the masses.

What role do politicians have to play in mitigating the 'climate crisis'?

Klein writes, “Most prominent among this new political breed is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez…Introducing a Green New Deal was part of the platform she ran on. Quickly after winning the elections, several members of the small group of young congresswomen sometimes referred to as the “squad” pledged their support for the bold initiative.” Politicians can advance policies through legislation that would help in controlling the climate changes. They can lobby their colleagues in the legislature to introduce legislation that would control emissions, which are prime contributors to climate change.

Explain the intersection between voting and climate.

Klein states, “Today’s high school students will still be in their twenties when global emissions need to have already been cut in half to avoid those outcomes. And yet the fateful decisions about whether those cuts will happen - decisions that will shape their entire lives - are being made well before most of them even have the right to vote.” Voting empowers the civilians to select leaders who would spearhead the formulation of policies to avert further compounding to the climate crisis. The young people who cannot vote will be affected by the voting decisions made today. Election of leaders who are not keen to control fossil fuel production and utilization will result in an adverse effect on the young people’s futures.