If even a small percentage of Project 2025’s proposals–or Trump’s fever dreams– are implemented, Americans will suffer. Times will be very dark, and very unAmerican. So it may seem Panglossian to predict that we can and will emerge from those dark times, not unscathed, but essentially intact.
That said, however, there is one element of the coming assault on reason and evidence that poses a truly existential threat, and that is the denial of climate change– the likely withdrawal from global efforts to combat it, the resumption of reliance on fossil fuels, and the termination of federal green energy incentives. We humans can recover from bad governance. We can (and undoubtedly will) learn from the experience of being governed by corrupt and profoundly ignorant people.
But we are unlikely to survive a failure to take climate change seriously.
I find it hard to understand people who deny the reality of a warming planet–the captains of the fossil fuel industries who place a higher priority on their bottom lines than their grandchildren’s lives, the religious fundamentalists who are sure God will protect us (or perhaps is punishing us for our sins), the people who simply choose not to believe facts that might inconvenience them. In my own lifetime (and yes, I’m old) I’ve seen spring come earlier and earlier, and summer last far longer than it used to. As I write this, we are nearing the end of November, yet temperatures are in the 50s and 60s, flowers are still blooming and the leaves remain on most trees. When I was young, it was much colder at this time of year, and we’d typically already had snowstorms.
The rejection of science and evidence by Washington’s clown show is depressing, but those who have chosen climate as their resistance focus need to recognize how much impact is possible–and for that matter, necessary– at the local level, through actions both by local governments and the private sector.
Time Magazine recently had a story about the ways in which small business enterprises (SME’s) can fight climate change. The author reminded us that there are numerous ways to focus on “tackling climate change from the ground up—from cities cutting their own footprints to grassroots activists making changes in their backyards.”
Approximately 90% of the world’s businesses are SMEs; those firms are responsible for a significant share of global emissions. News headlines at the intersection of business and climate often focus on big companies with household names, but to achieve global climate ambitions, small firms need to be engaged….
For the small companies that engage, decarbonization can be rewarding. It helps them access new markets as Europe and many Asian markets have begun to impose sustainability requirements for imported products. Greener products appeal to consumers who are looking for sustainable products, too. And sustainability efforts make SMEs more resilient to climate risks like extreme weather.
The article noted a report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that identified emerging mechanisms—from green loans to supply chain finance—intended to facilitate green practices at small businesses.
Local governments also have a number of initiatives they can employ to combat climate change–everything from installing new technologies to improve their own energy efficiency, to encouraging the construction of energy efficient buildings (including rooftop solar and/or green roofs), moving public transportation systems to clean energy and promoting other kinds of low-carbon transportation, creating pedestrian and bicycle-only zones and enhancing urban green spaces…the list goes on.
Many of these projects also enhance the quality of urban and suburban life. Planting trees and expanding public parks are environmentally important steps that also provide recreation for citizens, for example.
There is an argument to be made that –if sufficient numbers of local jurisdictions engage in these efforts–the impact would equal or exceed the mechanisms currently employed (and endangered) at the federal level. In any event, most of the actions available to local businesses and governments cannot be stymied by the know-nothings in Washington.
As a recent article from the University of California explained,
Local government can play a unique and critical role addressing the climate crisis. Local governments have immediate impact on the daily lives of community members and personal connections to constituents. We have a clear line of sight to understand how climate change is impacting people on a daily basis. If leveraged correctly, local governments have the power to bring people together across party lines to address local issues with creativity and agility.
The article listed a number of successful efforts already underway. Consider them a “road map” for resisting Project 2025’s prescription for planetary disaster.
Odd that big box stores seem to have an exemption from insulating their buildings that residential buildings don’t. Seems like they’re all just bare cinder block, which have a very low R value. Big box flat roofs may be a relatively better but probably not compared to residential building codes.
The good ship “change” is turning. Capitalism is on board. The ship has all of the fuel (money) that it needs. Trump cannot stop it.
The transportation industry, from fuel to service, is undergoing a changeover from burning to turning (wheels), from fuel from the ground to energy from the sky.
Trump can bluster, brag, and blame all he wants, and he can fill the brains behind him with ignorance and incompetence, but the result will not change the world very much. What will change until he is stopped are our rights, our piece of civilization, and our human society.
Chaos in the Americas caused by weather and sea level rise.
I like today’s post. It describes a problem and offers a solution, or at least some ideas that people and organizations and even local governments can do to deal with the most severe effects of the problem of willful ignorance of the effects of climate change.
There are local organizations that are quietly addressing the problem of. Two that come to mind are the Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc., (CILTI), and the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC), and I would also highly recommend The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the local chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Cornel Bird Academy as organizations that are doing what our government is either incapable of or refuses to do.
CILTI and TNC, in particular, are organizations that identify properties that have some significant importance to maintain habitats for threatened or endangered species, and when or if that property becomes available, they buy it, and work to restore it to its natural condition, and it is preserved and protected from short-sighted development.
We cannot rely on our government to do the right thing in terms of our natural environment. If we wait on it, we will be waiting a very long time. Organizations that are doing the work are worthy of our donations in time and treasure.
John Muir once wrote, “In wildness is the preservation of the world.” That is where I will be putting my efforts from now on.
Your comments are important today, Sheila. I’d love to see churches, the ones that follow their leaders example, not prosperity ministries, lead the way in their communities.
In Northeast Indiana, I recommend supporting ACRES Land Trust, acreslandtrust.org, as a key part of the work up here. Indiana is well served by groups preserving land.
It starts with us. We need to assess our own carbon footprint. If you can afford it, go at least partially solar. Reduce your mileage in a gas powered car. Even just turning off lights when you leave a room. It’s a start. Also, if you can afford it, support the organizations that are doing the work, like the Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club, or find a local group and either send money or volunteer.
Not sure how Elon is going to feel about it, but, going solar also sells his batteries. As tRump’s bestie he might have something to say that would be helpful. He’s certainly NOT going after any government waste that impacts his bottom line.
most small buisnesses supported trump. though its a no brainer to support the transition to green, i find most of it trivial in the regards of anything being done. here in NoDak, you just been given the blessing of another energy/tech billionaire (former gov)the cab of interior secty. lucky us. though i will atest to his nose hard on spills and such here from the oil companies mistakes.I would say its more in response to being federal land thats usually spilled on,and hense,the Native American population holds the hand on it,clean it and go away. its Bergums own needs to be met first,his bank account,along with his cronies and clown show at the capital. taking back a buck a barrel oil tax, that could have given some state employees,(ie,teachers) a boost on the inflated,big growth here in NoDaks living costs. id say deill baby drill will be a silly motto when in fact his own network of oil company heads,will grease his ever lovin wall street greed. along with grandstandin sen hoven,with his glee of being number 1 in drone manfacturing and school of drones everything. seems more wars will be hovens biggest pant wetter.
one issue,
who the F— is this mass idiot collection for cabinat posts. seems trumps edge is to have a office staff,like a ceo to call out and do stuff.(who are they?) these wannabes and whoevers, seem to be nothing more than trouble makers over people who can run the new carney show..lets hope they mash everything into a sudden lose on wall street and find who actully runs this mess..
i found a pic of hegstreth. with we the people tatooed on his arm. should say
“we the billionaires. have just screwed you…”
Jacobin.com
Finlands Government is robin hood in reverse
Otto Kyyroren today..
The “cabinet” appointments are just theater to distract the media from what’s happening to the “second chair” of these departments. THOSE creatures of the night will do the real harm while the TV cabinet fronts for the cameras. He’s already appointed his hush money lawyer (they lost) as second in command for DOJ. Watch for more of the same including the authors of P – 2025 to execute the ruination of our nation.
More on today’s topic: ignoring the environmental destruction won’t change until Mar-a-Lago is subsumed by the Atlantic Ocean. Then, Republicans, in their infinite stupidity will blame Democrats.
Panglossian is not my POV in this regard. COP29 appears to be doing as little as possible, much like the previous ones, and, imho, we have passed the tipping point for corralling the rising global temperature, already. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but with the Amazon having been beaten up, and permafrost, and glaciers melting like crazy, tif, and his imbecile followers will have minor impact.
Two of my children have no children, and I feel sorry for the 2 grandchildren.
Where is our “sharp as a tack” POTUS? Why isn’t he attending COP29?
Poor Al Gore is drowning in oil executives and lobbyists at the climate event. The global south needs trillions of dollars in assistance due to our contribution to the negative weather patterns (consequences) of man’s contribution to climate change. However, the US doesn’t have the money to contribute because we are too busy killing people via our military and their proxies.
I suppose there are ignorant people who deny man’s contribution to climate change, but most of the puppets in Washington and statehouses are doing what the oil and coal executives want to be done.
James mentioned the HEC; I’ve worked with them for years in Indiana. It started during Mitch’s invitation to the factory farms being kicked out of North Carolina for polluting the environment. First, they got kicked out of Europe and then Carolina. Mitch brought them to Indiana, which is why every single waterway in Indiana is polluted. Indiana always ranks as one of the Top Five Dirtiest States, so lots of work can be done in our Hoosier State.
Just make sure you plug into a watchdog like the HEC to get your information because our lame media will not inform us about what’s happening. They don’t want to offend the oil executives who spend a fortune on advertisements (propaganda). If we can’t keep the oil oligarchs from invading COP29 in foreign lands, imagine what they control in the US.
Don’t forget, the oil oligarchs wrote Project 2025 and made tree hugging illegal. Folks who try to interfere are classified as environmental terrorists. The Donald took bribes from them to eliminate regulations against the industry, so get ready for “dig baby, dig!”
I concur fully with what all have commented upon and you said Sheila. My only addition – would be that those of us – such as myself who don’t primarily focus upon climate issues (for me: Racism, Reproductive Justice, Palestine – Solidarity) – we need to – sign petitions, donate at least small amounts of money and similar – supporting the Important work that others are doing.
The Bible says God will destroy the earth by fire to destroy all our impurities and sin.
We keep witnessing droughts and fires in increasing volume and locations each year. I’m always surprised that more Christians don’t seem to acknowledge the increasing evidence of climate change as a divine warning of consequences of our refusal to be better stewards of God’s creation and of ourselves. We have the ability to change things for the better, but greed and short term comfort and complacency seem to be winning over sacrifice for long term survival.
We can change it. Conserve water and power; don’t pollute; re-cycle; use energy efficient appliances, cars, and machinery; and constantly encourage our acquaintances and the businesses and public officials we patronize to take steps to make the positive differences necessary. Each and every individual action makes a difference.
Sheila: I agree with everything you wrote, but the problem we are facing is the disinformation and outright lying–which, along with racism, misogyny and xenophobia, coupled with the average American reading comprehension being at the 6th grade level, aided and abetted by MAGA media, has put us in the situation we are in. A majority of Americans believed that the country is headed in the wrong direction and that we are on the brink of an economic collapse–and no amount of economists saying otherwise could shake this pervasive belief because it was echoed constantly on MAGA media. This was one of the major reasons why Harris lost.
All of the measures you outlined are wonderful–but MAGA media will push back–AND the gullibles who voted Republican will believe whatever they are told. Trump has suggested a climate-denying oil company executive to head the EPA. I look for all of the green energy projects and incentives to disappear, with a push for going back to coal and ending emissions requirements. Project 2025, much of which is reflected in Trump’s nominations to date, call for elimination of NOAA, because NOAA keeps track of climate change–so, if you want climate change to go away–NOAA has to go away.
I really don’t know how to effectively combat widespread disinformation and misinformation when there are so many MAGA outlets that not only push lies, but also indoctrinate viewers to believe that mainstream media cannot be trusted–in fact, that is one of their main messages. Have you ever tried to argue actual facts to a die-hard MAGA? They are literally fact-immune–Trump is a “victim” of “lawfare”–even though he did each of the things of which he was accused and indicted for and none of us could get away with his crimes. Trump “mentally declassified” the classified documents he stole, even though there is a prescribed process for declassification that involves input from the agency that classified the documents in the first place, and a paper trail is created. Nancy Pelosi refused an offer of 10,000 troops to defend the Capitol on January 6th–even though no such offer was made and she did not have the power to call up the troops. These are just some examples.
In order for the measures you suggested to be implemented, citizens have to get on board, and with the federal anti-green agenda, coupled with the lies and climate denialism, I don’t know if that is possible, especially here in Indiana.
“Lord, what fools these mortals be!” — Wm Shakespeare(A Midsuumer Night’s Dream)
We have no choice but to resist the forces arrayed against liberal democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law, but it won’t pay to ignore the sobering barriers we face. With all levers of federal power in the hands of the least qualified person ever to hold the presidential office, we will meet vicious resistance at every turn. Political violence, racist attacks, antisemitism, and oppression of efforts to preserve a liberal democratic state are highly likely, perhaps inevitable. It is no exaggeration to say that some people resisting will be legally persecuted, falsely convicted, and imprisoned– and perhaps be killed. At the local level, efforts on climate change, DEI, etc. will be fought by the local MAGAtes. Again, resisters must be prepared to suffer public criticism, harassment, and legal attacks as they try to save the republic… and the planet. At 82, my fightin’ days are over. Those who are able to resist should, but it will require courage and resources to put up with the resulting attacks.
It’s Debbie downer again, supporting my earlier comment:
“Oxfam International’s climate justice lead, Safa’ Al Jayoussi, said “COP29 must do more than simply repeat the same threadbare promises. Rich countries have spent decades now stalling and blocking genuine progress on climate finance. This has left the Global South suffering the most catastrophic consequences of a climate crisis they did not create. The draft text scandalously misses the crucial element of declaring a clear public commitment to a new climate finance goal.”
George Carlin’s observations have brought me comfort. To hear him say “We are circling the drain folks” because it sure feels like it (in terms of our species) and there’s no way I’m going to stop it. No matter how many cans I recycle. No matter how much I pray, wish, or hope. I’m strapped into this crazy reality. For better or worse. God or no God. Judgement Day or not. So I find comfort in not taking anything too seriously while I can.