Twitter Reacts to Bernie Sanders' Claims That Climate Change Caused Rise in Terrorism
In wake of a series of terrorist attacks that struck Paris on Friday night, the first question posed to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during Saturday night's Democratic debate was whether he still believes climate change is the No. 1 national security threat to the United States — and Twitter users had a lot to say about his answer.
"Absolutely," he said. "In fact, climate change is directly related to the growth of terrorism." Sanders added that climate change will cause farmers in countries "all over the world" to struggle with a scarcity of water and land to grow crops, which Sanders said studies have shown leads to international conflict.
Some Twitter users mocked Sanders' response, saying he should tell the French people that but wouldn't say that if he were face to face with a member of the Islamic State group.
Not a fan of @BernieSanders claim that econ equality, climate change are top foreign policy priorities 1 day after #ParisAttacks #DemDebate
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Not a fan of @BernieSanders claim that econ equality, climate change are top foreign policy priorities 1 day after #ParisAttacks #DemDebate
Climate change causes terrorism. Man that Bernie Sanders is hilarious.
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Climate change causes terrorism. Man that Bernie Sanders is hilarious.
Hey @BernieSanders, perhaps u can tell the French how climate change is the worlds biggest threat.
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Hey @BernieSanders, perhaps u can tell the French how climate change is the worlds biggest threat.
Bernie Sanders said climate change is America's greatest enemy and leads to terrorism. How can someone be so stupid?
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Bernie Sanders said climate change is America's greatest enemy and leads to terrorism. How can someone be so stupid?
@theblaze @BernieSanders Would Bernie say that if he was face to face with ISIS terrorist? Guarantee you climate change wouldnt be priority
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@theblaze @BernieSanders Would Bernie say that if he was face to face with ISIS terrorist? Guarantee you climate change wouldnt be priority
One night after #ISIS devastates #Paris, #BernieSanders still thinks Climate Change is a bigger threat to our country. Ok. #FeelTheBern
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One night after #ISIS devastates #Paris, #BernieSanders still thinks Climate Change is a bigger threat to our country. Ok. #FeelTheBern
I'm sure Bernie Sanders will blame the college debt crisis on climate change too #DemDebate
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I'm sure Bernie Sanders will blame the college debt crisis on climate change too #DemDebate
Others backed up Sanders' statement:
to @BernieSanders for saying #climatechange is the biggest threat to national security. It is. & lets not forget about the Syrian drought.
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to @BernieSanders for saying #climatechange is the biggest threat to national security. It is. & lets not forget about the Syrian drought.
frustrating how they didn't let Sanders speak more about how climate change contributes to a rise in terrorism #BernieSanders
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frustrating how they didn't let Sanders speak more about how climate change contributes to a rise in terrorism #BernieSanders
Climate change is the catalyst for tensions across the globe. #BernieSanders nailing it, as always. #DemDebate
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Climate change is the catalyst for tensions across the globe. #BernieSanders nailing it, as always. #DemDebate
Appreciate @BernieSanders remaining firm on the threat of climate change. #DemDebate
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Appreciate @BernieSanders remaining firm on the threat of climate change. #DemDebate
I'm not voting for @BernieSanders but the rush to criticize his stance that #climatechange is the biggest threat is mistaken. Long term.
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I'm not voting for @BernieSanders but the rush to criticize his stance that #climatechange is the biggest threat is mistaken. Long term.
And when you look at the numbers, his answer made a lot of sense. https://newrepublic.com/minutes/123808/bernie-sanders-doubles-down-on-saying-climate-change-is-the-biggest-threat ...
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And when you look at the numbers, his answer made a lot of sense. https://newrepublic.com/minutes/123808/bernie-sanders-doubles-down-on-saying-climate-change-is-the-biggest-threat ...
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that shortage or water sparked a crisis in regions of Syria, Iraq and Turkey that forced 1.5 million rural residents to flee to the border of Syria after their livestock was killed, children fell ill and food prices spiked. According to the study, this crisis among other results of climate change led Syria to violence.
Mic is exclusively live-streaming the entire debate here.
