The Effects of Legislation and Denial on Climate Action

Author: June Kaye

Field of Study: Social Sciences

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Matthew Cole

Easel: 29

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: Research worth being explored is the effects of climate activism and denial of the American public on climate policies carried out by American politicians. Answers will be discovered as to why green parties have failed to gain political power, and how and why, psychologically and economically, politicians and fossil fuel executives choose to disregard the voices of American climate protesting. Resulting from this, inaction follows, leading to an output of groups’ unwillingness to change their actions and views based on fixed political stances. Sustainability hasn’t been a mainstream concern for Americans and many are not sufficiently educated on environmental matters. Additionally, lawmakers profit directly from the fossil fuel industry, delaying legislative progress. These findings are insightful and provide perspective as to why and how positive change has failed in the political and social spheres, so that activists can use that information and those findings to search for additional solutions.