Tornadoes Should Change How Liberals Talk About Climate With Middle America

For too long, we’ve failed to show how climate change hurts this part of the country. It might be why so few people there see it as a threat.

Hey Friend — Today, I’m sharing with you my most recent piece in The New Republic. Here’s a preview of the piece, you can read the rest at newrepublic.com

A rash of unprecedented tornadoes ripped through the South and lower Midwest last Friday. Scientists believe there were upward of 30 tornadoes in the batch; one carved a path of 223 miles, which would be a record if confirmed. The human devastation has been unparalleled. Ninety people have been confirmed dead, dozens are missing, and thousands more have been injured—not to mention the loss of livelihoods and property.

Since the deadly twisters, there has been speculation about what created literally the perfect storm that allowed a torrent of vicious tornadoes to hit ground all at one time in mid-December. Whether or not this particular batch of tornadoes is attributable to climate change, it’s clear that the conversation about the far-reaching consequences of climate change hasn’t included the communities hit hardest by these storms. These events should force us to reconsider how we talk about climate change in—and perhaps more importantly, with—Middle America…..Head on over to The New Republic to find the rest of the piece.