What They’re Saying: Too Soon To Talk Climate Change?

Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Wildfires in the west. Hurricane Irma in Florida.

Across all of these natural disasters, there’s been a topic that’s been on the lips – and tweets – of many: climate change. Some have said now’s the time to discuss it, others have said it’s "too soon." Here’s a roundup:

This is the time to talk about climate change. This is the time that the president and the E.P.A. and whoever makes decisions needs to talk about climate change. If this isn’t climate change, I don’t know what is. This is truly, truly a poster child for what is to come.

—Tomás Regalado, the Republican mayor of Miami, in the Miami Herald

To have any kind of focus on the cause and effect of the storm versus helping people, or actually facing the effect of the storm, is misplaced. To use time and effort to address it at this point is very, very insensitive to this people in Florida.

—Scott Pruitt, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, to CNN

When asked by White House reporters if the hurricanes are related to climate change, President Trump didn't answer and walked away:

It is unfortunate, but not surprising, that the left is exploiting Hurricane Harvey to try and advance their political agenda, but it won’t work. When everything is a problem related to climate change, the solutions no longer become attainable. That is their fundamental problem.

—Thomas Pyle, who led Trump’s transition team for the Dept. of Energy – The Guardian

Stevie Wonder, who is blind, during Tuesday’s cross-network and cross-platform airing of Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief:

Why are we waiting to acknowledge the effects of climate change?I am reminded of a phrase from the Old Testament, from the Psalm: 'Man is stupid.'"

—Pope Francis, on a recent flight from Colombia, to reporters – BBC News

What do you think? "Too soon" or is now the time to discuss climate change? Hit Take Action, tell your reps to get moving – or stay silent – on climate change, then let us know below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: SlobodanMiljevic / iStockphoto)