Climate Threat
Pictured here, Annie Leonard of “The Story of Stuff” fame, now the executive director of Greenpeace USA, writes: I’m going to get straight to the point. Donald Trump’s presidency poses an enormous threat to our climate, our environment, and our democracy. That means that over the next four years, we will have to band together like never before to keep fighting for change.
….. Donald Trump is a climate menace — no doubt. He wants to shut down the EPA, “cancel” the Paris Climate Agreement, stop funding clean energy research, and drill, baby, drill. But together, we are even more powerful than Donald Trump.
This is the type of optimism that is demanded of climate leaders, and I’m glad they feel that way. I hope she’s right, and we all need to think positively as well.
This may not be so bad as one might think.
The president is not a dictator. Congress can override Trump if he becomes too radical. So Congress is controlled by Republicans? That may be only temporary. In two years all the members of the House of Representatives and one third of the senators face reelection. If they permit Trump to get too out of hand, the voters may elect Democrats to the House and Senate who will strive to keep Trump in line.
Craig,
I appreciate how difficult it will be for advocates like Annie Leonard to accept the dramatic change in the political mood, not just in the US, but world wide.
For environmentalists, it’s time to recognize these changes mean the old tactics have failed, and will continue to fail.
For the last five years I’ve been warning of a backlash to the fanaticism and arrogant intolerance of extremist advocates.
Unfortunately, backlash reactions are usually also extreme. The main hope for environmental programs and clean Tech is a moderate, but convincing business case (free of idealism) for retaining funding and environmental action.
Statements like, “But together, we are even more powerful than Donald Trump”, aren’t helpful and are part of the reason Trump was elected.
I can think of no more disastrous course than deliberately announcing a direct challenge to the authority of a newly elected President,especially one elected without being beholden to any of the usual power-brokers.
President Trump will be a very difficult President to ‘control’ and even more difficult to oppose. Annie Leonard hasn’t yet realized she has no bargaining position. Opposition to a President only works if the President cares about his popularity with those who might be influenced by advocates like Annie Leonard .
Trump just doesn’t care about such things, and probably reasons such opposition will only increase his standing with his supporters.
But Trump isn’t a traditional conservative. If approached correctly, and in a conciliatory manner, he may see some green policies and supporters as a useful counter balance against anti-Trump GOP power brokers.
Trump must be alarmed at having GOP control of both houses since he loses the excuse as to why he hasn’t kept his impossible promises.
@ Marco Polo
Your articulate description about the Political Reality we are now in while sobering is ringing true.
Well Said Marco Mate!
Too many Progressives, Liberals, activists and I am one myself we do have to be careful that we dont drive away others who have not reached our Point of Passion and Vision etc.
It is a hard thing to maintain that blance point. It does no good to be Right on the Issues if you have NOT gained the Masses support.
I HAVE WARNED PROGRESSIVES AND LIBERALS ABOUT THE EVILS OF NEO LIBERALISM crony pay to play lIBERAL hUBRIS AND CULTURAL INSENSITIVITY FOR OVER 20 YEARS so what has happened does not surprise me at all.
The arrogance of the coffee Late sippin Clintonistas did their cause in. 1 Eg is their refuasl to campaign in person in Wisconsin a blue State Bastion speaks volumes for failure.
Trying to get people to prepare for BLOWBACK is also a thankless task
so Marco I share your experience Mate!
Your statement re Trumper – he does not care if he is popular is Objective so Right On Marco! That is a big difference between him and most politicians as the polls all show he is not Popular across the Board – he continues to lose the mounting popular vote!!! People voted for someone they really dont like the ERA of Reality TV Star leaders is in full season now LOL LOL
I did not support him trumpster at all but I told my circle of progressives that he had a good chance at winning even though my musings on this site may indicate other wise. He had a message geared to manipulate and exploit moronic angry folks who once again have voted against their own best interests. And also there was rage against the establishment and hillary is a poster child for that yesterdays compromiser! etc etc.
His Faux populsm is disgusting as he is the real 1 % ruling elite class that dominates the population and mis informed angry folks bought his scam.
RE Environmental Ca sues –
So it is going to take the business case to keep the progress going in sustainable market but I fear the Carbon money and allies are going to infest the Trumper administration and he will think nothing of sending the National guard out to arrest and intimidate all forms of protesting. We are in for interesting times.
The business case is how to change things so lets see.
Frank I hope you are right that the damage might not be too bad but All Bets Are Off
I was chastised by many for saying trumper could win in my circle. Now the phone rings off the hook.
Mass Nationwide demonstrations like the ones going on right now can become Forceful in opposing or slowing trumpism as it impacts public opinion over time and many members of Congress will get Cold Feet over Time they have no principles just Dark Money Takers
We shall see All Bets Off – The DNC would be wise to bring a Marco Polo type person in to provide Objective tough medicine talk to the confused, inconsistent, namby pamby, overly politically correct cafe latte sippers who have become so deceived by their own circular bubble they dwell in and all its false reinforcing self defeating Bias that leads to cultural arrogance. creates GAPS in support among st the population and the rampant division we live in.
The power of KOCHS is over whelming.
Listen Liberal Book is the Message like Thomas Frank writes so eloquently! The masses need a dose of reality for sure!
Mandatory reading material.
To parlay Frank – there is Big Money in Green energy now and many of ht eplayers are GOP types they loive money so I think the assault on Renewable energy will not be able to over come the Business case where it makes sense.
I hang my hat on that but EPA And GHS and Carbon taxes and other emission reduction programs are is serious danger and there will be serious disruptive counter actions proposed by the Carbon Masters that trumper is a schill for ….the way it is! Disgusting !