The Right Wing's Views of Coronavirus and Climate Change

There’s a common theme: “nothing to worry about, folks.”

It’s interesting to see what conservative think tanks are saying about the coronavirus and compare it with their views on climate change. There are some common themes — both problems tend to get downplayed, along with any possible need for major government action. Like Trump himself, the conservative think tanks seem unable to process scientific evidence and prefer optimistic conjectures. A table at the end of this post gives the details.

On the coronavirus, with the partial exception of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), the general approach is to minimize the seriousness of the issue, refrain from any criticism of the Administration, and avoid discussing major government interventions. That largely tracks their approach to climate change, except for expressions of outright skepticism about the existence of any climate problem at all by some organizations. On both problems, with a few notable exceptions, think tanks seemed to track Trump’s tweets to a disquieting extent.

In general, the caliber of discussion was highest for AEI and Cato (a libertarian think tank), lower for Heritage and Heartland. Not surprisingly, none of the organizations wanted to talk much about the need for major government action on either problem.

Here’s a table comparing the five leading conservative think tanks in more detail:

Organization

Climate Change

Coronavirus

American Enterprise Inst.

Climate change is not listed as an issue area. Neither are environment or energy. A Google search did turn up a page on climate change, including entries on “the non-problem of global warming” and the “dark side” of renewable energy. But there’s also a blog post about possible conservative climate policies.

The epidemic is headlined on top page of website. Sensible post by former FDA head Scott Gottlieb about the need to take measures to delay spread of virus. (He’s the major exception from the conservative echo chamber.) Another post of an op. ed. by another author accusing Dems of politicizing the issue.

Cato Institute

“Global warming is indeed real, and human activity has been a contributor since 1975. But global warming is also a very complicated and difficult issue that can provoke very unwise policy in response to political pressure. . . Fortunately, and contrary to much of the rhetoric surrounding climate change, there is ample time to develop [new] technologies.”

Not mentioned on top page of website. Big headline on healthcare page is about needle exchanges. Blog post links in right margins. Only three relate to the virus. They primarily argue that the epidemic’s seriousness is being exaggerated, they accuse the WHO of alarmism.

Heritage Inst.

Climate change not listed as an issue. Energy economics page highlights benefits of natural gas and fracking; attacks Green New Deal and Paris Agreement. Renewable energy page attacks state renewable energy policies, carbon tax, Senate energy innovation bill, Paris Agreement.

Headlined story on top page. Story calls for international cooperation, “whole” government approach (including Pentagon), and transparency. Nothing about interventions to slow spread. Major theme in an earlier story: “The Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus outbreak thus far has been robust.” A blog post listed in the right margin calls for spending cuts to offset any additional spending caused by the epidemic.

Heartland Inst.

The webpage on climate change highlights media quotes touting Heartland as the biggest backer of climate skepticism.

Top page story says “A few years ago, it was ebola. Today, the coronavirus. Tomorrow, because of mutation, it will be something else.” Story mentions vaccines and also the importance of good hygiene. It seems to be written for sixth graders.

3 Replies to “The Right Wing’s Views of Coronavirus and Climate Change”

The Left’s view on global warming…”I believe Science”….as if *science* were a living, breathing entity. When you folks can talk about logic and that there is massive amounts of data that disproves global warming the Right will join you for debate.

csi says:

March 11, 2020 at 10:39 am

I don’t see how discussing the “massive amounts of data” to disprove global warming, while discrediting/denouncing science is logically possible. And for what it’s worth, seems like “the Right” likes do a lot more “believing” of entities than anyone else.

It is frustrating that so often the “Left” (no clue what that means but following the individual above) is expected to not only support the evidence of global warming but also refute the “Right’s” claims – but is then limited as to the proof available. Rarely if ever are climate skeptics relying on the scientific data compiled across the globe from multiple countries to denounce global warming. Even fewer times have the individuals claiming no impact from global warming ever visited or talked with those most affected by it. This eagerness to create zero-sum, partisan arguments is so counterproductive as to be nonsensical. Granted, there have always been the doubters of science – history is replete with examples, but that doesn’t mean that the earth really is the center of the universe or that the earth is flat or that germ theory is erroneous or that contaminated water doesn’t cause the umpteen diseases that it actually does. It is easy to dismiss and denounce, until it hits one squarely in the face — just ask Dr. Frank Luntz – a one time climate skeptic who crafted political messages, initially for Republicans, with a goal to change the framing of global warming (and other topics). Dr. Luntz changed his tune quite rapidly when forced to evacuate his home in the face of the massive California wildfires of 2017. Last year, he addressed a Senate Democratic climate panel stating that, contrary to his past positions on climate change, “it is happening….” and further that efforts to address it need to focus on policy – not politics. Amen. (Dr. Luntz’s testimony is available online.)

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Reader Comments

Michael Hoskinson says:

March 9, 2020 at 5:06 pm

The Left’s view on global warming…”I believe Science”….as if *science* were a living, breathing entity. When you folks can talk about logic and that there is massive amounts of data that disproves global warming the Right will join you for debate.
1. csi says:
  
  March 11, 2020 at 10:39 am
  
  I don’t see how discussing the “massive amounts of data” to disprove global warming, while discrediting/denouncing science is logically possible. And for what it’s worth, seems like “the Right” likes do a lot more “believing” of entities than anyone else.
CB says:

March 25, 2020 at 12:36 pm

It is frustrating that so often the “Left” (no clue what that means but following the individual above) is expected to not only support the evidence of global warming but also refute the “Right’s” claims – but is then limited as to the proof available. Rarely if ever are climate skeptics relying on the scientific data compiled across the globe from multiple countries to denounce global warming. Even fewer times have the individuals claiming no impact from global warming ever visited or talked with those most affected by it. This eagerness to create zero-sum, partisan arguments is so counterproductive as to be nonsensical. Granted, there have always been the doubters of science – history is replete with examples, but that doesn’t mean that the earth really is the center of the universe or that the earth is flat or that germ theory is erroneous or that contaminated water doesn’t cause the umpteen diseases that it actually does. It is easy to dismiss and denounce, until it hits one squarely in the face — just ask Dr. Frank Luntz – a one time climate skeptic who crafted political messages, initially for Republicans, with a goal to change the framing of global warming (and other topics). Dr. Luntz changed his tune quite rapidly when forced to evacuate his home in the face of the massive California wildfires of 2017. Last year, he addressed a Senate Democratic climate panel stating that, contrary to his past positions on climate change, “it is happening….” and further that efforts to address it need to focus on policy – not politics. Amen. (Dr. Luntz’s testimony is available online.)