“Global warming is the term used to describe the current increase in the Earth’s average temperature. Climate change refers not only to global changes in temperature but also changes in the wind, precipitation, length of seasons as well as the strength and frequency of extreme weather events…”

Recently I came across a shared photo on Facebook of Leonardo DiCaprio. Underneath a very intense black and white image of the award-winning man himself, there is a quote that reads, "The two leading Republican candidates for the presidency, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, have both dismissed climate change out of hand. We should not have a candidate who doesn't believe in modern science to be leading our country." (DiCaprio)

Now I wasn’t entirely skeptical when I saw this because I knew DiCaprio has been fighting against global issues with many organizations, including World Wildlife Fund (WWF), but what you see on social media these days may not be totally truthful. I took matters into my own hands and did some research on the viewpoints of these men running for office.

THE NONBELIEVERS

As I sleuthed my way through the web, I discovered more or less the same stories from many reliable news sources. First, let's begin with the man that causes all our headaches and turmoil, Donald Trump. Beginning his impression in 2012, Trump posted a tweet saying, “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” (Trump, 2012) Throughout the years up until a recent slight change of heart, Trump continued to refer to Climate Change and Global Warming as if it was just a game and a hoax.

In 2014, another tweet hit the Internet that read, “Snowing in Texas and Louisiana, record setting freezing temperatures throughout the country and beyond. Global warming is an expensive hoax!” (Trump, 2014). In the same day, he posted another tweet saying, “Give me clean, beautiful and healthy air- not the same old climate change (global warming) bullshit! I am tired of hearing this nonsense. And to add to the whirlwind of accusations, in December 2015, Trump spoke at a rally in Hilton Head, South Carolina. He stated that Global warming is a “money-making industry”, a hoax. Similarly, in January Trump said, “Well I think the climate change is just a very, very expensive form of tax…”

Trump is also a non-believer in the negative impacts of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). In November 2015 during a campaign stop, A 12-year-old girl questioned the benefits of fracking vs. using wind energy. Trump responded to her with, "Well the windmills look nice, but they kill a lot of birds. Did you know that?"

Now, in a recent turn of events, Trump has wildly switched his point of view to acknowledging that climate change and global warming exist. Let’s make it short and sweet; he has still used the term “hoax” to describe it, and he is regarding the issue as a very small problem.

Moving on to the next candidate, we come to Ted Cruz. He hasn’t expressed his thoughts on social media, but he has attempted to disprove scientists. In October 2015, he claimed that the issue was a religious belief. “Climate change is not a science. It’s a religion.” (Cruz). Cruz also attempted to support his statements with data that had nothing to do with the issue of global warming. He basically chose a specific section of data that showed no significant warming recorded. Ted Cruz also states that it is a ruse by “liberal politicians who want government power over the economy, the energy sector and every aspect of our lives.”

Overall, Cruz has taken more of a scientific approach than Trump, nonetheless bringing very insignificant data and opinions into the issue. Insisting that the planet is greener now and there are similar amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, he disregards that emissions have more than doubled since the 1950’s, and the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by one-third.

In regards to energy consumption, Cruz announced, "When it comes to energy, I think we should pursue all of the above. America is blessed with abundant energy sources, and we ought to pursue everything. We ought to pursue oil and gas, and coal, nuclear, wind, and solar, and biofuel and ethanol..." There is no fine line between renewable and nonrenewable resources to Cruz, it is all the same no matter how harmful some elements are proven to be.

If these candidates are disregarding true research, scientific theories and evidence, what are their plans for our future?

ALL IS NOT LOST

After finding myself distressed at what our potential leader’s viewpoints are on a serious issue, I found a beacon of hope while frantically searching for the liberal outlook.

Hilary Clinton, the first woman running for president is bold and has a lot to say about climate change, global warming and proposing new methods to conserve non-resources. Clinton has proposed many plans and campaigns with goals to convert our use of energy. In the past, she has "led the creation of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition global initiative…” She has also worked with Obama in achieving the “first international climate agreement in which major developing countries like China, India, and Brazil committed to reduce their GHG (greenhouse gas) pollution.”

As it stands now, Clinton aims to have solar panel roof systems installed on over 25 million homes within the next decade. This will cut the energy waste by a third, and reduce oil consumption by a third. Clinton also is stating that she will lead the fight against climate change and within the next decade, bring greenhouse gas emissions down to 30% below what they were in 2005. She is also setting goals to gain more energy from renewable resources such as wind, water and geothermal (the heat from the Earth).

Now even though Hilary Clinton has plans for the future all shiny and chrome, there are some doings that clash with her words. Clinton is a supporter of fracking, which has a very harmful factor on the environment. Not only does it affect the atmosphere, but our drinking water and the stability of the ground beneath us. And while she does promote the use of solar energy and increased production of other sources, Clinton has not mentioned the cutback of fossil fuels (a large contributing factor to global warming).

FEEL THAT BERN? (hint: it’s NOT going to be global warming)

Bernie Sanders is quite straightforward with his statements on the issue of climate change. He refers to it as “the great planetary crisis we now face”. In the past, Sanders has made an effort to help improve the environment. He cosponsored the Super Pollutants Act of 2014 to reduce pollutants that had a drastic impact on global warming. He also cosponsored a climate bill that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

Sanders cosponsored yet another act, the Climate Protection Act of 2013 that taxed the greenhouse-gas emitters directly through a fee on carbon pollution emissions. Last year Sanders introduced legislation that “would set aside $200 million in Department of Energy loans as grants to slap solar panels on low-income housing.”

In regards to fossil fuels, Bernie Sanders has made intrepid vows to cut them off completely. He has bullet point after point on his website stating that he will ban fossil fuel lobbyists from working in the White House, end grants that benefit fossil fuel companies and create systems and plans that recognizes public health risks face by low-income and minority communities, as well as many other well-detailed and supported claims.

Clean energy is another priority for Sanders. He has made it clear that he wants a 100% clean energy system and it’s not impossible and very affordable. Not only is this obviously beneficial for the environment, but he also claims this will create millions of jobs. Like Clinton, Sanders has plans to invest in renewable resources for energy. He has already taken action to help low-income families to access solar energy by making it more affordable.

The few topics I mentioned above, all have to do with the impact on climate due to release of excess gases and energy. Sanders has made plans for all of the factors (including many not listed). They are all interconnected, feedback affecting each other, all addressed. Sanders has also focused on climate change in itself, discussing the plan of action to help control the issue. The plans are broad and appear to be ideas, but they are all in the best interest for our country and the world around us. He states that he will form a climate summit with all types of specialists to think of techniques, as well as helping other countries and working together.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

I began this article with the Republican stance, because it is so shocking what they have attempted to disprove. Hopefully after reading this, you know what’s best for the world. Climate change and global warming aren’t the only important factors occurring, but it’s a pretty big problem that I personally believe — among many others — should be addressed as soon as possible (as well as other immediate issues).

You have the power to choose a candidate that knows what’s best for our country and can control what we contribute to the world in terms of environmental health and safety. They are aware of the situation and will have the ability to propose methods to help decrease emissions and improve the planet.

If you noticed, I wasn’t able to provide any proposals from the Republican side... primarily because I couldn’t find any actual plans of action. I uncovered so many interesting and insightful factors from both running sides. The Democratic candidates are very motivated to focus on this issue. They are providing actual goals and plans for our future, some more detailed and certain, but more or less very detailed and prioritized.

Disregarding a rising issue is impossible, because it’ll eventually come back to bite us even harder than it is now. We are going to inhabit this Earth for a long time with our families and future generations. Pay attention to what the candidates have to say, keep all of the factors of our planet in mind, and be aware! There is a fine line between both sides, and the more we educate ourselves on what our future will look like, the more we can make it a positive result. The decision is yours, vote wisely.