GOP Skeptic Becomes a Believer

House Republican Changes His Mind and Now Believes in Global Warming

Rep Michael Grimm (R-NY)

Representative Michael Grimm, (R-NY), has taken a closer look at Climate Change science and has changed his mind.  He used to be a skeptic; now he see's the risk, and accepts Climate Change as a real threat to our way of life.  Grimm simply decided to have an open mind, instead of being controlled by the powerful Republicans in Congress.

He was a skeptic during his 2010 election campaign.  But his Staten Island based district was hit hard by hurricane Sandy, and that can happen again.  Grimm started taking his research more seriously, and he found out just how much data there is on Climate Change. 

But it will be an uphill battle.  "It's much bigger than me", he said.  "I don't think that Americans have the will to do it".  It is very rare for a sitting Republican to publicly take a position like this - so we say that Rep. Grimm is a man of principles, and deserves our support and respect.  This is a sign that the debate over Climate Change is changing - for the better.  How often do you hear a politician change their mind? How often are politicians willing to really speak the truth?   Grimm is a courageous man.
   

  
The GOP overall is deeply divided on the issue of Climate Change.   Publically, Republicans try to put up a United Front. But you suspect that privately it is a different story. There is considerable pressure on this matter; House Speaker Boehner discourages members from even talking about Climate Change.  With that kind of pressure, its no wonder that Republicans are scared to have an honest debate.  

In fact, the Tea Party is the only group in America that still does not understand Climate Change.  In a recent study by the Pew Research Center, only 25% of Tea Party Republicans say there is solid evidence of global warming, compared with 61% of non-Tea Party Republicans.  Overall, in the US, 67% believe in Global Warming, and of the remainder a significant portion are unsure.  So the tide is definitely turning; to find out ore about the Pew survey, click here.  You can find many articles online now about how Republicans fall victim to 'denial behaviour'.  It is unfortunate, and it hurts our country.

What we say, here at ManMadeClimateChange.com, is that if more Republicans would have an open mind, then the world really could change. America could lead the world in this, instead of being one of the big polluters - and driving global warming higher.

Grimm goes on to say, “The mass majority of respected scientists say that it’s conclusive, the evidence is clear. So I don’t think the jury is out,” Grimm told Hayes, a reversal from his previous position on the issue. “I mean there’s no question that, um, you know, the oceans have risen, right? And the climate change part is, is a real part of it.”