Drawing a parallel between AIDS and climate change seems a big stretch, but let me explain. In Africa, as AIDS spreads rampantly, the Western solution has been to advocate for condoms. While theoretically an excellent idea, underlying economic realities foil the effectiveness. If a prostitute collects $4 for sex without a condom and $1 for sex with a condom, and the economic driver is to meet basic needs for tomorrow, the concern of dying from AIDS in 5-10 years becomes almost irrelevant.
Similarly, climate change doesn't pose an immediate threat to many American's struggling month-to-month making ends meet. Putting food on the table takes precedence over driving a hybrid vehicle with reduced carbon emissions. Unfortunately, the economy serves to be a springboard for political platforms, because this is a more immediate need. Inevitably, climate change takes the back seat to the economy for far too many voters.
If voters continue minimizing the scientific evidence pointing toward climate change, refusing to embrace policies and procedures aimed at reducing global warming, the fallout will be extreme, like the devastation of AIDS in Africa. We must, as intelligent beings, be able to look beyond our next meal and see the rising need to wear a condom, hypothetically speaking.
STEPHANIE AKKER, Kennecick
