Article Reflection No. 49 (5/6/2023)

(Nicholas Konrad; The New Yorker; Getty Images)

Article: A Case for Climate Optimism and Pragmatism, from John Podesta

Reflection:

In the article “A Case for Climate Optimism and Pragmatism, from John Podesta”, journalist Bill McKibben presents an interview with the Biden administration’s senior clean energy advisor, who has accumulated decades of political experience as members of previous presidential administrations. In this Q&A, the interviewee addresses the Inflation Reduction Act (I.R.A.) and its impact on Americans’ approach to the climate change crisis as well as the Willow project, which has drawn sharp criticism from climate advocates. According to Podesta, compared to 2005, the I.R.A. will decrease general emissions from power sectors by 84%, as reported by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Concerning the Willow project the difficult decision-making impacts the environment in a way that is “less than one per cent of the emission reductions that come from the I.R.A”, Podesta said (The New Yorker 7).

I recall something my science teacher told us in class recently: when it comes to climate change and the human impacts of it, the guilt can motivate people to act. Wallowing in shame does nothing.

I agree. I wrote a story about eco-anxiety several weeks ago:

https://portolapilot.com/eco-anxiety-is-a-step-forward-to-saving-the-environment/