First, the bad news: As you have no doubt heard, Donald Trump has pulled out of the Paris Accords, to much international criticism. The only positive words on the subject emanate from Republican congressmen and the fossil fuel industry.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40127326
Meanwhile, in the market, environmental ETFs are up as investors respond to climate woes by pumping money into funds that trade in "environmentally friendly" stock.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trumps-fossil-fuel-focus-has-driven-investors-to-environmental-etfs-2017-06-01
It almost makes one optimistic that a market-based solution to the climate crisis is possible, but this cuts both ways. Looking back at Streeck, it is further evidence that the power of policy is falling out of the hands of government and more and more the market determines what policy is. In this case, it is good for society, but I don't think we can count on that level of social consciousness in all cases.
In fact, I know we can't.
This effectively put the United States as the only country that doesn't align with the Paris Accord. I'm leaving Syria and Nicaragua out of this. Syria has been devastated by war and it makes sense that they need to fix that issue first. Nicaragua actually wanted stricter agreements regarding climate change as well. This shows you how much the power of policy is falling out of the hands of government because pulling out doesn't make any sense.
ReplyDeleteTrump's decision to pull out of the Paris agreement is extremely short sighted. It might actually create job domestically, and may for a short time increase economic efficiency. I am also convinced that he and many others in politics are being paid handsomely to support the oil companies.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as a species that is solely responsible for the decline in welfare of our planet, we should be doing everything it takes to repair the ecosystem. In the long run, we are pretty much screwed if the destruction continues at its current rate.