Last week winter was coming. This week winter is still coming. Here in New York the high today is in the 50s. Winter is warm this year.
I won't complain. I prefer the warm weather. I'm also not someone who thinks an off season, warm or cold, is proof positive of anything having to do with climate change. But whenever the weather gets funky people start making global warming references, and since there was this event in Paris recently that is related to the topic, it felt like an okay time to point out that it's December in NYC and I'm sweaty.
As always, happy Wednesday and happy reading
This Day in History
1773 - US Patriots dressed as Native Americans dump tea into Boston Harbor. Put that in your hot water and brew it, King George. Patriotism or treason? Civil disobedience or mob rioting? Nuance or absolutes? What can I say about the Boston Tea Party that you haven't already heard? What lessons can we learn from the philosophical ideologues who rebelled against order and authority a long time ago?
When Taxes Met Climate Change
The issue of taxation helped spur the creation of this country, and the issue of taxation might now help save it. The Paris Climate Summit was a great success; nearly every country in the world agreed to limit carbon emissions. It's hard for me to imagine that group of stakeholders agreeing on anything, but climate change is that serious a threat.
We must now commit to implementation, but the biggest argument against curbing emissions is an economic one. One of the most effective means of capping carbon emissions would be a carbon tax. This necessarily imposes an economic burden, but as Thomas Friedman points out in his op-ed, that is increasingly less so (from the NYTimes). Imagine of all things that Texas now has more wind power capacity than any state!
Transitioning away from fossil fuels will not be quick, and may not be painless, but it is necessary. It is time for us to start embracing this segue. The world has committed to addressing the enormity of the threat, and the United States must continue to lead by adhering to our promises.
The Cliff Notes on Climate Change
There is really no more to this post than the title (from the NYTimes), but I found this guide to be very helpful, and I read about the topic as often as I can. For brevity's sake I'll keep it at that, but if you're looking for a quick class on Climate Change 101, this is it.
A Winnable War
Getting everyone on board in Paris was an important first step, but there is proof and ideas that should inspire hope. I've mentioned the Pickens Plan before, but I find his grand vision inspirational, particularly because it combines economic growth with sustainability.
But there are other, smaller examples of successful action. From Katrina in NY comes an example of how Cleveland is using eco-friendly sustainability to fight poverty (from Center for American Progress).
The future is not about dirty fossil fuels, it is about the myriad clean and sustainable resources we have available, and how we create and innovate around them to grow our economy.
But in the Short Term
Meanwhile this is an unhelpful first step (from the Hill). At a time when the world is agreeing to limit and restrict carbon emissions, exporting crude oil seems either hypocritical or economically unsound. Either way this is a short term economic boost at the expense of longer term fiscal and environmental health.
And so to try and bring it full circle, what I'd rather see Congress doing to promote growth now and later is securing tax cuts for oil and gas companies but only by mandating that all those tax rebates be invested exclusively in clean tech R&D. Short term job growth and financial benefit for the industry while also investing in sustainable longevity. Even in today's hyper-partisan environment that seems an agreeable compromise.
Maggie and Kimbo
Can you figure out who's whom? Maggie and Kimbo are a dynamic duo, and a package of energy in much need of frisbees, hiking, and attention. They live in New Paltz, NY with their humans Brittney and Bruno, and - as you can see - they are eagerly awaiting a new human baby in the family as well...or wait, those look like snacks. Maybe they're eagerly awaiting the snacks...Big thanks to Brittney and Bruno for sharing Maggie and Kimbo, and congrats on your growing family!!
Will's Weekly Trivia!
As always, please remember to send theopt-in form to friends, and to fill out the feedback form if you have any recommendations or want to share an article link or dog. Thank you to those who have!
Two weeks into trivia, and it's increasing in popularity! I also got feedback asking me to share the previous week's answer, so that will now be included as well.
IF you choose to answer the question, respond to staton.will@gmail.com with your answer. Please note that by competing you are giving me permission to publish your first name in the trivia leader board each week.
TRIVIA!
Last Week: President Obama refers to ISIS/Daesh as ISIL. What does the L stand for, and what does it mean?
Answer: L is for Levant; an historical (and still used) term for territory in the Western Middle East around the Mediterranean Shore. The Levant area encompasses parts of Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and can extend to Egypt and Turkey. Those who answered Levant were awarded one point; those who defined it received an additional point.
This Week: How many nations agreed to the Climate Accord in Paris?
LEADER BOARD
1. TN: Natalie - 2 points
1. NY: Alexa - 2 points
1. OR: Joe - 2 points
2. MS: Meghan - 1 Point
2. MS: Steve - 1 Point
2. TX: Chris - 1 Point
2. NY: Mike - 1 Point
2. NY: Joe - 1 Point
