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@tednordhaus argues that instead of polarizing policies like #carbontaxes, we need “quiet climate policy” and should focus on “the art of the possible.” 1/n foreignpolicy.com/2019/07/20/cli…
@TedNordhaus With respect to the author, this is insufficient and fails to acknowledge the fundamental equity and justice issues that are part and parcel of any solutions. 2/n
@TedNordhaus This is why a #GreenNewDeal eschews incrementalism, even as Nordhaus says that a GND could provide “quiet, more incremental steps.” This is not the goal. 3/n
@TedNordhaus A bipartisan solution seems *very* unlikely and we shouldn’t put our eggs in that basket (unless you want them fried). 4/n
@TedNordhaus The existential politics of #climatechange means that conflicts between interest groups will become more intense as the value of their assets are threatened – either by #climatechange itself or by policies to mitigate it. 5/n. globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/21/02/201…
@TedNordhaus Thus, we can expect cycles of progress and retrenchment, moving with the changing value of assets, and the politicians who represent those interest groups. See @leahstokes work on retrenchment. 6/n
@TedNordhaus @leahstokes Moreover, “quiet” policies that @tednordhaus proposes (a fed clean energy std, incentives for farmers to improve carbon efficiency) sidestep the key problem: Climate change is a political problem, not a technical one. 7/n
@TedNordhaus @leahstokes Climate policy should a) acknowledge the fact that #climatechange is at root a political conflict between rich and poor (see UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty @Alston_UNSR) 8/n
@TedNordhaus @leahstokes @Alston_UNSR b) should address the fact that powerful interests are investing a LOT of resources in maintaining the status quo. Incremental policy can't undo this asymmetry, at least not in the foreseeable future. 9/n
@TedNordhaus @leahstokes @Alston_UNSR c) must mobilize a vast and diverse group of publics. This means talking about economic justice and equity rather than narrow and technical policies. 10/n
@TedNordhaus @leahstokes @Alston_UNSR One common rejoinder is: move incrementally while working on the big picture. I don’t think that’s possible (see above), but know that many don’t share this view. This is the crux of discussion climate folk need to be having. 11/n
