Climate change: Why we need 70% of U.S. politicians to unite | Daniel Esty | Big Think

TL;DR

Climate change was once a bipartisan issue, but became polarized; bipartisan collaboration is crucial for effective policy.

Transcript

So when I served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the late 1980s and early 1990s climate change first came onto the public agenda in a big way, and there was at the time a UN process launched to think about this issue. There was, in fact, the inner governmental panel on climate change that was chartered to go out and look at the scien... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌐 Climate change was initially a bipartisan issue in the U.S., with both Democrats and Republicans supporting global responses through treaties.
• 🧀 The shift towards climate change becoming a partisan wedge issue hindered progress in addressing environmental challenges effectively.
• 💱 Bipartisan collaboration, supported by the majority of the public and political sphere, is crucial for transformative change and sustainable solutions.
• 💱 There is a need for a portfolio approach to climate change policy, incorporating various strategies such as a gradually escalating carbon charge to drive behavior change and spur innovation.
• 👶 The division over climate change has been more about policy implications than scientific disagreement, highlighting the importance of thoughtful and new policy approaches.
• 🥺 Both Democrats and Republicans are recognizing the need for a serious and thoughtful approach to addressing climate change, which may lead to repositioning on the issue.
• 💱 Overcoming the partisan divide on climate change is essential for progress, as transformative change towards a sustainable future requires bipartisan collaboration.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did climate change evolve from a bipartisan issue to a partisan one in the United States?

Climate change initially brought together Democrats and Republicans in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as seen in the unanimous ratification of the 1992 framework convention. However, by the mid-1990s, political parties divided over the issue, turning it into a partisan wedge.

Q: What are the challenges in addressing climate change in a bipartisan manner?

The challenge in addressing climate change on a bipartisan basis lies in overcoming the current divide that has made it a partisan issue. Transformative change and sustainable solutions require collaboration across party lines.

Q: What policies and approaches are needed to address climate change effectively?

A portfolio approach involving strategies like implementing a gradually increasing carbon charge can incentivize behavior change and spur innovation. Thoughtful and new policy approaches are essential for addressing climate change effectively.

Q: How do political parties coming together on climate change benefit progress?

When political parties collaborate on climate change, progress can be achieved through inclusive and effective policies. Bipartisan cooperation can lead to sustainable solutions and a path towards a better future for all.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was bipartisan support for addressing climate change through international agreements and treaties.

• However, by the mid-1990s, climate change became a polarizing, partisan issue in United States politics.

• The key to addressing climate change effectively lies in bipartisan collaboration and transformative change supported by the majority.