It’s up to the rest of the world now. We can’t put climate action on hold for four years in hopes that a new administration will take over in 2029 that will lead the world in the transition away from fossil fuels.
The world has gotten very used to US leadership since the end of WWII, but that era is over. Maybe it should have ended a long time ago, but now it must. The US can’t lead anymore, we lack the competency, efficacy, and morality to lead the world. Someone else is going to have to captain the ship.
I think it’s important that America’s replacement not be just the next most powerful nation. I think it’s time for democracy to go global. We need the nations working together, instead of a single nation dominating the world through military might and economic control. The violent hegemonic orders of the past must be replaced with a global democratic order, based on inclusion, cooperation, and the consent of the governed.
Edit: I realized that I need to explain what I mean when I say that someone other than the US needs to take the leadership role in the transition away from fossil fuels. Climate action in an individual country is a very good thing, and very necessary, but climate change is a global problem. It’s great that countries are taking steps to reduce their own GHG emissions, but unless such action is taken everywhere it’s not going to be sufficient. GHG emissions have to reach net zero everywhere, not just in a few, relatively wealthy European countries. That will require cooperation and collaboration between nations, and I think that will require leadership. The US cannot be relied upon to lead that effort, so someone else is going to have to.
Trump repealed 112 environmental regulations in his first term, during a pandemic, without preparation, rolling us back to the Bush Administration in multiple categories.
I think we’re going to go backwards again, most likely at a faster rate than his last term.
It’s up to the rest of the world now. We can’t put climate action on hold for four years in hopes that a new administration will take over in 2029 that will lead the world in the transition away from fossil fuels.
The world has gotten very used to US leadership since the end of WWII, but that era is over. Maybe it should have ended a long time ago, but now it must. The US can’t lead anymore, we lack the competency, efficacy, and morality to lead the world. Someone else is going to have to captain the ship.
I think it’s important that America’s replacement not be just the next most powerful nation. I think it’s time for democracy to go global. We need the nations working together, instead of a single nation dominating the world through military might and economic control. The violent hegemonic orders of the past must be replaced with a global democratic order, based on inclusion, cooperation, and the consent of the governed.
Edit: I realized that I need to explain what I mean when I say that someone other than the US needs to take the leadership role in the transition away from fossil fuels. Climate action in an individual country is a very good thing, and very necessary, but climate change is a global problem. It’s great that countries are taking steps to reduce their own GHG emissions, but unless such action is taken everywhere it’s not going to be sufficient. GHG emissions have to reach net zero everywhere, not just in a few, relatively wealthy European countries. That will require cooperation and collaboration between nations, and I think that will require leadership. The US cannot be relied upon to lead that effort, so someone else is going to have to.
On hold? That’s very optimistic of you.
Trump repealed 112 environmental regulations in his first term, during a pandemic, without preparation, rolling us back to the Bush Administration in multiple categories.
I think we’re going to go backwards again, most likely at a faster rate than his last term.