Unless you live under a rock, you've heard that the President has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. My thoughts? This is marvelously short-sighted by our President and his team of cronies, AND, this largely is symbolic and nothing else. That's right, I don't believe that, beyond international political dick-swinging, this does anything to massively impact actual climate change or economics in the United States.
Now, that's a pretty bold statement from someone who believes that he's fairly environmentally minded. But hear me out: I believe that once again, it's our responsibility to pick up the slack left by our extremely incapable Federal government.
Firstly, according to Article 28 of the accord, "parties [can] withdraw from the agreement after sending withdrawal notifications to the depositary three years after the agreement goes into force in that country, and the withdrawal is effective one year after the depositary is notified." Simple maths indicates that we'll be officially out of the Paris Agreement in 2020 or 2021 the earliest. Simple maths also dictates that we'll be in the throws of an election. Based on the the first 5 months of his Presidency, I don't see his popularity growing. And, as he lost the popular vote last time, I expect that he won't be elected again...or anyone like him. That leaves the door open for our next president to re-join the rest of the planet (except Syria and Nicaragua...but they too may have political epiphanies).
Granted, I didn't think Agent Orange was electable this time.
That said, I am super encouraged that, despite the lack of foresight by this White House, business leaders, major metropolitan areas and states are standing up against the idiocy of a President who backed out of a non-binding global agreement. The truth is that, he's right, jobs related to fossil fuel are in a decline...mostly because they're expensive and complicated to maintain. Logic would dictate that it's far easier to be exposed to wind and sun than it is to excavate and drill. Tell my four-year-old to get warmed by the sun or cooled by the breeze and she could do it. Tell her to mine for and then burn a lode of coal...frankly, I don't want to think about the results.
Also, President Agent Orange is dead wrong about the economic impacts related to cost-sharing and lending to developing countries. The Paris accord dictates that those initiatives wouldn't happen until 2020 either...those same non-binding initiatives which will be reevaluated by every nation as 2020 approaches. Hopefully, that'll be the job of a new president as well.
Look, here's my hope. I'm going to continue to work hard to do my part for reduction of landfill waste and production of greenhouse gasses. I'm in the process of exchanging un-recyclable CFL bulbs with more efficient LEDs in my house. Our family buys organic produce in an effort to keep some of the more toxic insecticides and fertilizers out of our diets...which in turn reduces the need for crop-dusting and airplane/helicopter exhaust. Our electricity, through PSE&G, is provided partially through sustainable energy initiatives. We pay a slightly higher premium for our energy, but we are supporting a more sustainable infrastructure. And, we have a small garden. I know that sounds silly, but in August, we won't be driving to get our tomatoes...or buying them from a vendor who had them shipped on a truck. Oh, and we walk to our local farmer's market. Think global, eat local.
All of the things I mentioned take effort on our part to be (slightly) better global citizens. And, maybe that's the issue with this President. Time and time again, his decisions play out like a chess player who only thinks one move ahead. That's a gross misunderstanding of the game, and those players lose, more often than not.
It's my mission to help make this man and his agenda lose. A way to do that is to start loading the local political deck with science-minded politicians who are able to see the bigger picture. Fortunately, in New Jersey, a gubernatorial election will happen on June 6, next Tuesday, where Jersey-ites will get to start the process of replacing one of the most corrupt and ineffectual governors in State history. If you've been moaning about our broken political system, it's time you put your political money where your mouth is. Make it a point to vote in the primary election. This is your chance to be heard. And, it's my hope that the new governor will take into account the benefits of investing in a sustainable future for both me and my children. While it may not be the cheapest, most direct way to grow the economy, choosing to enact climate-smart policies and laws is in everyone's best interest, and should help preserve our planet for my children and my children's children. Hell, it's the only one we got.
No comments:
Post a Comment