Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Enviormental Issues Become a Force in Political Advertising
As election day gets closer and closer we will continue to see more and more political advertisements. Something different about this year from years past though is that we will see more pertaining to the environment this year. Studies have shown that there have been 125,000 commercials highlighting the environment this election season. The change clearly shows that politicians believe the American people care more about the environment then they have in past years. The politicians believe it is the key to winning votes. Do you feel this way? And as a voter, or future voter, how high is the environment on your list of concerns? Are politicians smart to be putting this much money and time into this issue?
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I agree that Americans care more about the environment than in the past, but I don't think it's the key to winning votes. I care about the environment a lot, but I feel that there is only so much we can do, and also, that other issues are more important right now. Nobody should say that climate change isn't an issue that we should be worried about, but we shouldn't make it too important, when things like ISIS are going on right now. Instead of spending so much on advertisements, people should use the money to do something that is actually beneficial for the environment.
ReplyDeleteThe environment is a concern and a very important one. At the same time, however, there are still other issues to address that are more important at the time. I do sort of almost half-way agree with Republican advertising in one way though. It is highly important that before thinking about changing sources of energy, the workers who would lose their jobs must be taken into consideration as would the economic effect on towns where the primary business is mining and other related jobs.
ReplyDeleteIt is very unfortunate however that this receives more attention during elections than at any other time.
I'm torn between this issue. The climate change is obviously a huge issue. It's really important but it's kind of impossible to completely stop it. However trying to reduce it would make a huge difference but we would need every country on board with that idea. Climate change gets the shorter end of the stick. It's always being pushed off because there are issues that are more important than that. I agree with Peaches that ISIS should be more focused on than the climate change. However if we keep pushing off the issue and not taking action, climate change could be a huge threat to us all. The advertisement is important, but one should actually be investing in products that would help the environment.
ReplyDeleteYes it is important to pay attention to our environment as it affects our everyday lives yet there are other pressing matters that affect a person's vote. Depending on where you live, people will have a very different opinion on coal but that is obvious. A coal dependent state like Kentucky or West Virginia will have people with different views that say California.I agree that there are more pressing matters at hand that should be taken care of before we tackle the climate. Climate change in general has become a case of just talk. We talk up the problem of the change yet do we enact drastic changes to help the environment? The ads are promising that people actually want to do something to help our environment and are headed in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katie that, depending on where you live, opinions are going to differ about climate change and what to do about it. Climate change is an issue that people should be concerned about. But it is not enough to just be concerned, you actually have try to make a change. While it is good that politicians are highlighting environmental issues in their campaigns, it is a topic that they should pursue even after the election, not just use it as a way to win votes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jamie regarding the fact that climate change should be an issue that we address not only during campaign season, but also after all of the election hoopla dies down. After reading the article, I really wish the candidates were posting ads that presented actual facts about the climate and how they are going to address them instead of trying to make themselves seem perfect. For example, Mitch McConnell's add involved a bash on the EPA followed by motivational music with a big picture of his face in the center of the screen. These ads are going to turn people away from the issue. Also, does anyone find it odd that the League of Conservation connected republican energy policy with woman's rights? While these are both exceedingly important topics of debate, I don't see how they fit together. To me, it all just seems like a giant ploy to get votes, not to solve real problems.
ReplyDeleteThe environment is definitely an issue that should be faced, and I think it's smart that politicians are basing their political advertisements towards environmental issues, but I think it's smart because it shows that politicians are very good at campaigning and using audience analysis in order to gain more voters. I agree with Schafer when he says that the ads should use actual facts. As a future voter, I think it's great that we're shifting some of our political outlooks onto the environment, but think it's ridiculous to focus solely on that and for the ads to be something a little less than factual. I also agree with mostly everyone when they mention that it should be focused on throughout the year and not just during election time, but then again, there are many things that we should focus on throughout the year in the government that we don't.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that America is realizing the importance of taking care of the environment. Especially, as we said in class yesterday, the younger generations are aware of its importance because we're the ones who will be here the longest. However, my fear is that, similar to the way we approach freedom of speech, we will want environmental protection until it directly inconveniences us. For example, if the government started fining for not recycling or limiting lawn/garden watering as they limit burns, people would begin to complain.
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel that there is much more attention being paid to the environment now than there had been in the past. It is important to be concerned about climate change for our and future generations. I agree with Jamie that if something is going to be done, it needs to be followed through. Too many politicians talk about what they could change, but once campaigns end, all talk of possible solutions disappear. However, I do feel that there are other issues and crisis that should be taking the lime light currently. Dealing with ISIS should, of course, be high on the list, as it is posing a major threat.
ReplyDeleteThe article said that in 2012, climate change was not mentioned in any of the three debates between Romney and Obama. After reading this fact, I am happy that environmental issues are being brought to the forefront. I feel like with all of the other issues in American politics such as gay marriage, Ebola, and ISIS to name just a few, climate change has taken a backseat. I rarely hear about it anymore. I agree with other commenters that the politicians will most likely not do anything about the environment after they are elected, but I do think that just the mention of climate change in these ads could be enough to bring it back to the forefront of politics as a pretty important issue that should be constantly monitored. We do not need to focus all of our efforts on climate change, but it is worth slowly working towards efforts to reduce it.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that the idea of protecting our environment is becoming more prominent among our communities. But I agree with Antonella on the idea that people will claim to be all for protection of our environment, but once it directly hinders their lives, they will have a change of heart. It is easy to bring up environmental regulations in order to look humanitarian for the voters, but it is much harder to actually turn down all the money available from factories dumping their waste in a pond in order to keep it clean for environment and the community.
ReplyDeleteThe news that environmental issues are receiving the attention they deserve in political adds leading up to this election makes me very happy. But unfortunately, I don't feel environmental issues will be even close to a deciding factor in these elections. Although many people would be happy to here that a candidate supported environmental protection, I feel that there decision would me made on economic issues or social issues like gun control and abortion. From the average persons perspective, these issues are more pressing and require our immigrated attention.
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