Skepticism came first and it was intellectually acceptable. Denial came second and it was tolerated as a political perspective. Nihilism always existed as some of the major contributors to global warming were also among the first to recognize its potential.
But, to now continue the behaviors knowing that they will cause irreparable harm to humanity, that is climate murder. We need to call them out for what they are.
Perhaps a decade or two ago, one could accept that there might be climate skeptics, who honestly questioned the science of climate change and whether it was happening at all. Then you got climate deniers, who in the face of all evidence said 'it's orbital mechanics or sunspots or this always happens.'
It is hard to believe that today anyone still believes that nothing is happening or that it is sunspots. What we have now are people who just don't care, or have other interests that take priority.
This is why climate denier is no longer strong enough. I like climate arsonist, and it was coined by a friend, but climate nihilist is actually a better term. These people know the consequences of their actions, have decided that it is in their own interest, and the interest of a large enough number of voters, not to care. And inevitably, at some point, I will be calling them climate murderers.
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