International Affairs

“We love low prices, sure, but we frown at the things companies do to get us good deals — like paying low wages. In his book Supercapitalism, economist Robert Reich looks at the divided mind of the consumer and citizen. Reich subtitles his book “The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life,” and in it he asks tough questions about American priorities: “Why has capitalism become so triumphant and democracy so enfeebled? Are these two trends connected? What, if anything, can be done to strengthen democracy?”

In Bali, this December, the world’s leaders and diplomats will meet once more…this time to determine the mandate for what will be the next and most dangerous step in furthering international climate action. Bush and his Big Oil soaked negotiators want to replace binding international targets with airy promises and voluntary, aspirational goals. It would be folly to let him do it when he has so little time in office. We have one response. We are sending a Youth Delegation of Conscience to the Bali negotiations.

Do we really think that is either morally acceptable or feasible for the developed world to offset 100% of their emissions through emissions trading? Or is it just Greenwashing..on a planetary scale?

Recognizing youth engagement with environmental issues, the Catholic Church and the the Pope held their first-ever eco-friendly event. Speaking in front of half a million mostly young people, he said: “A decisive ’yes’ is needed in decisions to safeguard creation" A participants’ kit included backpacks made of recyclable material, a flashlight operated by a crank instead of batteries, and color-coded trash bags so their personal garbage could be easily recycled. Meals were served on biodegradable plates.

The climate movement has been going about its business fighting coal plants, promoting wind energy, and working for comprehensive carbon reduction policies. Suddenly, there’s a new development. The new development is not about limiting growth, it’s about redefining prosperity. Not going to change the world? Let’s scale up. It’s time to forge a development paradigm that actually works: one that empowers people, strengthens communities, and sustains the world.

In the West, we fundamentally misunderstand the role of pollution and the environment in China. We also don’t recognize the global injustice being conducted in the name of our prosperity in China. China has become the environmental sacrifice zone for the global economy. Toxic air and water are killing an estimated 710,000 to 760,000 Chinese each year. In China, they know the power of online media and the political fallout from the environmental injustice the Chinese people are facing from the global economy. Do we?

As the arctic melts, society responds by cutting emissions...helping adapt vulnerable societies...or wait a sec! We decide to get into saber-rattling over who gets the vast oil and gas reserves under the formerly unaccessible arctic. Great!

One of a group of youth Bloggers writing provocative and powerful climate posts. A thought-provoking piece on whether 80% by 2050 is anywhere close to enough and how much further we have to go.