After Telling Moderator Climate Question 'Misses the Mark,' Sanders Says Real Issue Is Will We 'Save the Planet for Our Children and Grandchildren'

I am passionate about continuing to expose the utter failure of the corporate mainstream media and all corporate politicians to illuminate this greatest threat to humankind and life on Earth AND what we must do about it Now! There is an imperative that we recognize the severity of the climate and ecological crises and declare an Emergency! Thank you Bernie Sanders for your truth-telling, courage, integrity, wisdom, relentless fight on behalf of us all! May we all be informed, inspired, and act! — Molly

 By Jon Queally

Sen. Bernie Sanders received widespread applause during Thursday night's Democratic Party presidential debate when he challenged what he considered a flimsy question on the issue of the climate crisis and then offered a far-reaching critique about a global system in which trillions are spent on war and destruction but similar investments are not made to address the emergency of global heating.

After Tim Alberta, Politico's chief political correspondent and one of the debate moderators, asked candidates if they would support federal funding to relocate communities threatened by rising sea levels and flooding rivers, Sanders took issue with the premise of the question.

"With all due respect, Tim, your question misses the mark," Sanders said.

"It is not an issue of relocating people from towns," Sanders continued. "The issue now is whether we save the planet for our children and grandchildren. The issue, as you should know, what the scientists are telling us, is that they have underestimated the threat and severity of climate change. We're talking about the Paris Agreement—that's fine—it ain't enough."

Sanders continued by saying the nation must "declare a national emergency" and touted legislation he has proposed to do exactly that.

"The United States has got to lead the world, and maybe—just maybe—instead of spending $1.8 trillion a year, globally, on weapons of destruction," he continued, "maybe an American president (ie. Bernie Sanders) can lead the world. Instead of spending money to kill eachother, maybe we pool our resources and fight our common enemy which is climate change."

For the video and to continue this article, please go here: https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/20/after-telling-moderator-climate-question-misses-mark-sanders-says-real-issue-will-we