10 Years After ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ Climate Skeptics’ Free Speech at Risk

Last month, environmental activists commemorated the 10th anniversary of An Inconvenient Truth, a movie that made more incorrect predictions than your mom’s March Madness bracket. The film was screened on campuses everywhere and environmentalism became the hottest trend in progressive circles. These days, however, campus liberals spend more time protesting free speech and advocating for men to use women’s restrooms than fighting for the polar bears. So where has this movement gone? Their “movement” isn’t really a “movement” anymore. It’s an institution. Over the past 10 years, the institutionalization of climate change ideology, initiated in large part by the efforts of the aforementioned activists in academia, steadily climbed to the highest levels of our government. Environmentalists, including officials at the Department of Justice and Bill Nye “The Science Guy,” have suggested punishing Americans who disagree with climate change science, even going so far as to propose climate skeptics be arrested. Activists are working to make these bizarre suggestions into actual policy. In California, a proposed bill attempted to do just that. Thankfully, the bill was not picked up before its deadline, but before failing, it passed through TWO committees. This impulse to force ideological conformity on the American people is surprisingly popular and extends to our nation’s classrooms. If students dare to challenge the fundamental belief of man-made climate change, they are made fun of by their professors for their alleged ignorance. None are allowed to suggest an alternative, leaving no room for discussion. “In high school, I was berated by a teacher simply for questioning her decision to screen ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ in class,” said Young America’s Foundation spokeswoman Emily Jashinsky. “After I took it upon myself to distribute information that shed light on factual inaccuracies in the film just to bring some balance to the discussion, she pulle me aside after class and told me that I ‘watched too much Fox News.'” This type of behavior creates an environment that is not conducive to learning. You can’t learn anything if you are not even willing to discuss other options. If Justice Department officials, prominent media figures, and professors are all prepared to punish people simply for challenging their data, climate change conformity is so deeply institutionalized these days that environmental activists on campuses are superfluous. This is yet another reason for young conservatives to fight for their right to free speech. The Left’s interest in implementing restrictions is boundless.