Katharine Hayhoe on Climate Change: "No Government Can Halt Progress"

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Katharine Hayhoe, a prominent climate scientist and chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy, expressed optimism despite climate policy setbacks stemming from Donald Trump’s return to the White House. In an interview, she countered claims that the U.S. could disengage from global climate action, stating, "They can slow it down, but they can’t stop it," and noted that "last year, China installed more solar panels than the United States has in its entire history."

Hayhoe emphasized that climate change disproportionately affects those least responsible for it, which motivated her career shift from astronomy to climate science. She criticized the misunderstanding of climate policies, encouraging more localized actions to mitigate emissions. Acknowledging the polarized views on climate in the U.S., she adapted her message to resonate with a broader audience by avoiding the term "climate change."

Addressing concerns over public perception, Hayhoe cited research from Yale University indicating increasing public awareness of climate risks, fueled by frequent climate-related disasters. "Public opinion is changing; climate change is affecting the way people think," she concluded, reinforcing that hopeful action is crucial.

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