With election season on the horizon, it is crucial for all voters, especially those in Appalachia, to prioritize climate change policy when casting their ballots.
Climate change is a pressing reality that poses significant threats to our environment and communities, and it is dangerous when policymakers dismiss it as a “hoax.”
Yale University has monitored global warming as a voting priority in every presidential and midterm election since 2014. Its findings reveal that in 2024, only 39% of registered voters consider global warming a "very important" issue when voting. Although this marks a slight increase from 32% in 2014, it underscores a pressing need for greater awareness and action among voters.
Hurricane Helene exemplified the urgency of this issue. This storm had a devastating impact on the Appalachian hillsides of North Carolina, serving as a clear indication of the urgent climate policy needed in the region.
Appalachia is already experiencing some of the worst effects of climate change, including increased extreme weather events, rising temperatures, erosion and landslides, and deteriorating water quality. The destruction caused by Hurricane Helene exposes an immediate need for action, reinforcing the fact that voters must prioritize climate policies to safeguard their communities.
Ryan Fogt, a climatologist and director of the Scalia Lab at Ohio University, stressed that Appalachia is a region in the U.S. that is significantly underserved and faces “lower socioeconomic status compared to much of the rest of the world.” With generally lower income levels, Fogt said the impact of climate change in Appalachia is “felt to a higher degree.”
“What we're seeing here in Appalachia is what's happening at the global scale; the people that are facing the brunt of climate change and its negative impacts are the most vulnerable people in the world,” Fogt said. “In the U.S., it's Appalachia that is one of the most vulnerable, and they have very little means to adapt and respond when things happen, so they're suffering.”
It is vital for all Americans, but particularly for residents of the Appalachian region, to consider the candidates' views on climate policy when casting their votes this November. The future of the area depends on our democracy, and those elected to office have the power to enact relevant, evidence-based policies that can help mitigate the effects of climate change.
As the father of two daughters, Fogt wants them to have the same “healthy planet” that he has experienced and believes informed voting is essential for taking immediate action to halt the effects of climate change.
“We still have time to act to avoid some of the worst consequences of climate change, but that window is getting shorter and shorter,” Fogt said. “The next four years of whoever is in office will really determine what kind of future we’ll have for the long-term — not just their term, but going into the next 50 to 100 years.”
Georgia Riendeau, an OU Climate and Sustainability Ambassador studying environmental science, emphasizes that addressing climate change relies on effective climate policy and informed voting.
“I've learned that policy is where the change happens,” Riendeau said. “We can do as much science as we want, as much research as we want, but in office, that's where changes are made, that's where laws are made, that’s where it makes a difference.”
Everyone has a role to play in addressing global warming, and one of the most effective ways to make an impact is through conversation and education. By discussing climate change with others, Riendeau believes we can empower our communities to take action.
“We can vote in ways that can support (the planet) and help mitigate the issues, rather than voting for people we know are going to make things a lot worse or don't believe in it,” Riendeau said. “Use your voices, spread awareness, read about it, learn as much as you can about it, so that you can share that with other people who might not have the same access to information as you do.”
Climate change is real, and climate policy will have lasting effects on the planet. It is crucial for all voters, especially my friends in Appalachia, to make informed decisions when voting this November.
Future generations are counting on it.
Abby Waechter is a junior studying strategic communications at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Have something to say? Email her at aw087421@ohio.edu or tweet her @AbbyWaechter.
