New political ad reminds voters that Mitt Romney made climate change a punchline

ClimateSilence.org campaign releases political ad reminding voters that Mitt Romney made climate change a punchline during his convention speech

In the wake of devastating Hurricane Sandy, which scientists say was exacerbated by climate change, Governor Romney’s belittling attempt at humor during the Republican National Convention seems anything but funny

Watch here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  The ClimateSilence.org campaign, led by Forecast the Facts and Friends of the Earth Action, is releasing a new political advertisement today, “Romney vs. Sandy.” The ad, available in a 30-second television-ready version and extended web version, contrasts Mitt Romney’s mockery of the threat of climate change at the Republican National Convention with the destructive power of Superstorm Sandy.

“Romney vs. Sandy” shows scenes of Sandy’s unprecedented devastation, over the raucous cheers and applause of the GOP delegates for Romney’s sick joke about the threat of “rising seas” from carbon pollution. The ad will run in selected markets in Virginia and Ohio — just two of the 22 states struck by Sandy’s fossil-fueled fury.

“Sandy is without question the October Surprise of 2012, and it has pushed climate change to the forefront of a campaign where it was previously almost entirely absent,” said Brad Johnson, campaign manager of Forecast the Facts. “As families recover and voters head to the polls, we want the American public to remember this cold fact: less than two months before sea level rise devastated New York City with more powerful storm surges, Governor Romney laughed at the very notion of rising seas.”

”Governor Romney’s mockery of climate change wasn’t funny during his Convention speech, and now rings deathly hollow as we watch the human pain and suffering caused by Superstorm Sandy,” said Erich Pica, president of Friends of the Earth Action.  “Superstorm Sandy is the wake-up call for all politicians: We are entering into a ‘new normal’ that requires leadership and forethought, not ignorant mockery.”Climate scientists agree that global warming pollution was a key factor in fueling the storm, which is still causing misery for millions of Americans. The death toll from this historic disaster exceeds 100 lives in the Caribbean and the United States.

Thousands of participants in the ClimateSilence.org campaign have been leading the charge against the presidential candidate’s climate silence for months. But in the final week of this election, the most powerful climate messenger turned out to be the harrowing reality of a freakish Frankenstorm. Because of sea level rise and superheated oceans from global warming, the storm surge swept over the Atlantic coast, including New York City, with unprecedented intensity, causing an estimated $50 billion in damage and lost economic activity. The tragedy of Hurricane Sandy has made it crystal clear: it’s time to end the climate silence.

 ###
Contact: Erich Pica, (240) 432-3470