Heat waves kill Americans. Homes and businesses destroyed. Droughts ravage farms.
But Republicans deny climate change and block common sense measures to fight it. What gives? Follow the money.
This StoryMap combines a real time map of heat waves and weather hazards and is continuously updated with data from the National Weather Service.
Details on the elected official who represents that area in Congress and the Senate are then overlaid on the weather hazards. This makes it easy to see whose interests a politician is representing - their constituents or their wealthy donors and fossil fuel corporations.
Realtime heat wave Storymap
This digital story is designed with StoryMaps (a free app) and combines:
A live data feed from the National Weather Service containing official weather warnings, watches, and advisory statements for the United States.
A warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is occurring, imminent or likely. It means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property.
A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible. People should have a plan of action and listen for information.
An advisory is issued when a hazardous weather event is occurring, imminent or likely. Advisories are for less serious conditions but could lead to situations that may threaten life or property.
Republican climate denier showcase
The StoryMaps shows the elected official for every congressional district and state. Some of the more extreme climate deniers like Rob Bishop (Utah), Paul Gosar (Arizona) and Tom McClintock (CA) and their public statements are highlighted.
The StoryMap shows how the mega rich and fossil fuel firms fund Republicans and give them talking points and model legislation through A.L.E.C. to deny climate change. This includes public information from Open Secrets, NY Times, ProPublica, Center For America Progress, Business Insider and Mother Jones.
StoryTelling with a purpose
The HeatWave StoryMap includes a video featuring President Biden explaining provisions in the bill for fighting climate change in his infrastructure bill.
A link to the GreenPeace video where an Exxon Mobile lobbyist explains their strategy to fight measures that protect the environment is included in the StoryMap.
StoryMaps can be updated at any time with new information. Just before publishing this blog, I learnt about a petition to "Tell our elected officials and the public that supporting CCS is not an acceptable answer to the climate challenge." I added that to the StoryMap along with a link where you can sign the CCS Pushback Form.