Duamerthrax
If they’re as smart, communicatable and capable of social responsibilities, then yes. There are some species that may be “differently” smart as humans, but lack a common lanuage and can’t take on shared social responsibilities, so giving them rights is difficult to say the least.
Buy less, travel less, demand wfh.
No political will promote slowing the economy down even though that’s the simplest, most straightforward way to slow our pollution output. Our stockmarket and retirement plans are based on infinite growth, which is unfeasible even without climate change being a factor.
They’re not really right wing. Very suburban, sheltered and privileged, but I’ve never heard them talk politics. I can say extra privileged because one of them wanted to put an Battlefield sound board in their car. Sure, that’s what you want. Making it easy to accidentally make the sounds of gunfire if you ever get pulled over by a cop because your taillight is out.
As far as star trek goes, they’re rather talk about the power output of the phasers then character arcs. They’re very basic.