A Champion for the Earth

A Champion for Democracy

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse fights for the planet

What could be more important than protecting our Earth from becoming uninhabitable for our species…and many others? Sure, I’m on board with finding out the truth about Trump and Epstein. But while we are all obsessing about this soap opera, the government corruption and planetary destruction continue unabated. There is a bigger crime story here.

Fortunately, we have a few “pit bulls” in Congress who are grabbing hold and not letting go.

From a NY Times piece of November 1,2024:
“It’s important to start by looking at this systematically and structurally,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island and chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, who is investigating oil industry campaign donations.

Mr. Whitehouse referred to an analysis by the International Monetary Fund that found American fossil fuel companies receive $700 billion of subsidies each year, when accounting for federal tax breaks and undercharging of environmental costs. He was not surprised by the contributions from oil interests to Mr. Trump.

“To protect a $700 billion subsidy, what is the amount that would be economically reasonable to spend in its defense?” Mr. Whitehouse asked.”

“According to a new analysis by Climate Power, Big Oil spent $450 million to influence Donald Trump and Republicans throughout the 2024 election cycle and 118th Congress. This funding includes direct donations, lobbying, and advertising to support Republicans and their policies.”

Do some math with me. $450 Million invested in Climate Denying candidates ensured a return of $700 Billion. Net ROI of $699,550,000,000. Not a bad, eh?

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse recently gave his 300th “Time to Wake Up” climate speech on the floor of the Senate. This time, it wasn’t about the facts of this planet’s threatening disasters. It was about the dark money financial scam that has been enabling it. The fossil fuel industry has been funding lies and supporting climate change deniers for office. Because the Citizens United decision allows the industry to plow unlimited funds into campaigns.

”Democrats can turn all this to their advantage if they get “more vocal and aggressive”, Whitehouse argued. “The good news is that the American people hate dark money with a passion, and they hate it just as much, if not more, in districts that went for Trump as in districts that went for Biden.”

Democrats also need to recognize “how much [public] support there is for climate action”, he said. “How do you have an issue that you win 74 [percent] to 12 [percent] and you don’t ride that horse as hard as you can?”

I agree. Dark Money has brought us to this point. Making it a big public issue is a tool to restore responsible climate leadership. Thank you, Senator. I will write my Senators to join you in this campaign to stop the fossil fuel industry from destroying the planet.

But I also think we need to spread the word about the very frightening events that are unfolding or could happen in dramatic fashion.

Did you know that there are volcanoes under the Antarctic Ice Caps? I didn’t.

”Melting Glaciers Will Lead to More Volcanic Eruptions, Study Suggests. Now, All Eyes Are On Antarctica” Smithsonian July 9, 2025

”If volcanoes begin to erupt in Antarctica as a result of glacial melt, the heat from these reactions will spur a positive feedback loop, further accelerating melting. A bevy of eruptions would also likely affect the global climate, as carbon dioxide and methane are released when ash and lava are spewed into the atmosphere.”

Look no further than Iceland where retreating glaciers have relieved the pressure that held the magma beneath the surface.

The end of an era is unfolding. Climate stability as we knew it is crumbling. And our president is concerned with adding more gold leaf to the Oval Office.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is a Standup Hero for America and the World. Our president is an Enemy of the Earth and all its inhabitants.

Now back to our regular programming. Here is Senator Whitehouse (a former prosecutor) referring to the latest episode the soap opera. “As the White House Turns”

Bill's Focus

recent posts

about