On Thursday and Friday of last week, April 22 and 23, President Biden convened a virtual meeting of 40 world leaders to discuss addressing climate change. It is no longer possible to ignore changes in the world’s climate: the last decade was the hottest in recorded history, and the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached record levels. Arctic ice is melting; last summer’s fires in Australia, California, and Colorado were catastrophic.
I'm from Delaware and as a college student first voted for Joe Biden in 1972. Throughout 2020, my son (in his mid 30s) and I would debate about merits of the leading Democratic contenders for the nomination. My son supported Bernie and his progressive agenda, while I supported Biden. I thought that country needed a calm President who would help the nation settle down after four years of turmoil and chaos. I was expecting him to be much like a relief pitcher who is called into a game to stop the other team's rally and help his team catch its collective breath.
I think we have both been pleasantly surprised by the first 100 days of the Biden presidency. Biden has come across as more progressive than my son imagined (albeit not as progressive as his preferred candidates). As for me, Biden has not been sleepy Joe, a president whose main function would be to pour oil on troubled waters and allow us to recover from the Trump years; instead, he has shown himself to be his own man, not Obama 2.0, taking strides to help us beat the pandemic, restore the economy, help those in poverty, rebuild our infrastructure for the next generation, challenge us to deal meaningfully and effectively with climate change, etc.
His is not the agenda neither my son nor I expected to see from a 77-year old man. I hope his energy is contagious and helps us move this country forward. There is still much about the GOP members of Congress that scares me, but Joe Biden is giving my hope for the future.
Moonshot, indeed. We have the opportunity to build capacity for solar for the world. We have the opportunity to actually lead into the future, generating opportunities and astounding work/jobs.
Caregiving has LONG been undervalued and simply an expectation of women to do caring work for free. This, alone, could change the future.
Heather, you are wondrous and the light of the day in my small life. I am ever grateful.
“Over the course of two days and eight sessions, President Biden convened heads of state and government, as well as leaders and representatives from international organizations, businesses, subnational governments, and indigenous communities, to rally the world in tackling the climate crisis, demonstrate the economic opportunities of the future, and affirm the need for unprecedented global cooperation and ambition to meet the moment.”
The emergence of China as a global alternative energy provider reminds me a bit of how US automakers doubled down on big cars rather that get out in front of small car manufacturing.
Also, I'd like to see climate efforts address refugees, as we are already seeing increases in the numbers of refugees due to climate change and will continue to do so. We tend to focus on the political reasons that people flee. As drought and other significant weather events occur around the globe, more people will be displaced or unable to get water to drink or grow food to eat.
I sat with a client yesterday who is a Trumpster. Every word that came out of her mouth was about going backward. Going backward and still praising the “leadership” “qualities” of that former person. This is the backward energy that he hooked his supporters into believing was actually going to save them. As I read this letter this morning the contrast is frighteningly clear. My son said to me one time, “they will either go kicking and screaming or they will go with the flow ....but they’re going to HAVE to go“. And here we are living in a country where nearly half the people in it long for yesterday and dig their heels in at the mention of progress.
I am 71 and I long for yesterday also but I have the intelligence to know that it doesn’t exist anymore and it probably shouldn’t. Crack open a bottle wine, take out the old photos and have a cry but wake up in the morning and move into the present. It’s already here waiting for you.
Energy Security is National Security. If you don't agree you haven't been watching China very closely. They get (have got) it. We are playing catchup and its about damn-time. The world-stage is shifting on many levels and America CANNOT let itself be the red-headed-stepchild to China...it will literally mean the end of American influence if not dominance (assuming we can still even brag about that with a straight-face)... I give MAJOR props to Biden and his team for seeing this and making it a serious priority. As they say in Dumb and Dumber: [but] there's a chance!
While “Biden’s American Jobs Plan already calls for $16 billion to clean up abandoned mining sites and more for the training in new infrastructure jobs coal miners want. “
China is investing the same amount on training the next generation of climate scientists. Have you heard about Zhu Kezhen. There are generations of climate scientists he trained.
I’m shocked and delighted at how Biden has moved us this far, this fast toward a progressive future agenda. I live in Texas, where one of our senators is a Trump enabler and the other has is a Steve Bannon imitator. But the people are coming around.
It’s a good thing our infrastructure is so decayed, because it’s hard to argue that we need more of the same. I have two neighbors, friends in friendlier times. One bought a lifetime supply of 100 watt incandescent light bulb when the government started regulating them and the other bought a pallet of R-12 refrigerant just before it was banned. Fortunately, they are boomers, like me, and chances are they’ll die with their investments in pollution safely stored in their garages or attics. In the meantime, I was able to switch my electric plan to an all renewable plan called MP2, owned by Shell. Yes, Shell Oil. The big energy companies will be energy companies 25 years from now only if they are carbon-neutral, at worst.
I think that the regulations past during the Obama administration, such as the tax rebate for electric vehicles and the solar and wind energy subsidies, served their purpose and gave those technologies enough boost to make them competitive with fossil fuel technologies. I bought an EV four years ago, with a $7500 tax credit, and I’ll buy another one if Biden renews the credit. It’s a way better driving experience than the old cars, so I’d buy another EV anyway. The extra tax savings is gravy.
Fossils fuels have been heavily subsidized for many years, including with massive wars. Imagine where we might be now if the Supreme Court has given Gore the election in 2000, instead of Bush. Rather than investing $trillions in wars and regime change in the Middle East, what if we had invested that money in new energy and gotten out of the Middle East. I think that’s were Biden is leading us now and I’m delighted by it.
President Biden is a steady light in a dark time. When his popularity starts winning down ballot elections, I’ll begin to breath freely. Until then, there are states to win back. Celebrate each victory, then back to work.
I open your work every day and my mind gallops off on a new possibly for recovery. I think of the Trump whatever that was as Chernobyl! Staying afloat mentally and spiritually in endless negativity, death, cruelty and corruption took everything I had. Thank you for teaching us that it is ok to dream again.
I am pleased to see that President Biden has made addressing the climate crisis a priority. Climate crisis is inextricably linked with the way we consume energy, and I am also glad that he is pushing for "clean" energy, not just "renewables." Electrifying transportation will require doubling our electricity production. Another 50% will be required to re-engineer our industrial processes that rely on fossil resources.
Emphasizing jobs that renewables provide may be necessary for getting his agenda passed through the Congress, but wind and solar will not suffice. Besides, scaling wind and solar to meet all our energy needs will seriously constrain the global supply chains of commodities like steel, glass, concrete, and copper, not to speak of lithium and rare earth metals. It is absolutely important that we expand nuclear power, the one safe and scalable source of clean energy. It has the smallest environmental footprint and the best safety record but first public opposition to nuclear power must be overcome. Getting the public to embrace nuclear power is a Herculean task, but it must be undertaken. We have to (i) educate the public (ii) stop closing functional nuclear power plants; (iii) remove the barriers for financing nuclear projects; (iv) expand the fleet of nuclear power plants; and (v) develop and deploy the next generation of walk-away safe plants that can also use the spent fuel as a resource.
Biden needs to shut down pipeline construction on the tar sands Dakota pipeline and line 3 if he is sincere in stopping fossil fuels.allowing building more pipelines creates increases fossil fuels.
Reading today's letter, especially the part about the coal industry, made me realize how the whole issue of climate change's economic impact has tracked with the Five Stages of Grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and, finally, Acceptance.
It appears different segments of the fossil fuels industries are at various stages along this trajectory. But the end is inevitable.
Thank you, Heather. "After four years in which our leaders saw the height of American strength as standing alone, our leadership is now focusing on the idea of international teamwork. Biden’s climate plan is about saving the planet, but it also seems to be about saving global alliances, binding countries together with a new climate agreement to retain their power over their own energy in the future." That sounds like a wise, sensible way to govern to reinstate our standing in the world community and to take positive steps to save life as we know it on our planet.
I'm from Delaware and as a college student first voted for Joe Biden in 1972. Throughout 2020, my son (in his mid 30s) and I would debate about merits of the leading Democratic contenders for the nomination. My son supported Bernie and his progressive agenda, while I supported Biden. I thought that country needed a calm President who would help the nation settle down after four years of turmoil and chaos. I was expecting him to be much like a relief pitcher who is called into a game to stop the other team's rally and help his team catch its collective breath.
I think we have both been pleasantly surprised by the first 100 days of the Biden presidency. Biden has come across as more progressive than my son imagined (albeit not as progressive as his preferred candidates). As for me, Biden has not been sleepy Joe, a president whose main function would be to pour oil on troubled waters and allow us to recover from the Trump years; instead, he has shown himself to be his own man, not Obama 2.0, taking strides to help us beat the pandemic, restore the economy, help those in poverty, rebuild our infrastructure for the next generation, challenge us to deal meaningfully and effectively with climate change, etc.
His is not the agenda neither my son nor I expected to see from a 77-year old man. I hope his energy is contagious and helps us move this country forward. There is still much about the GOP members of Congress that scares me, but Joe Biden is giving my hope for the future.
Moonshot, indeed. We have the opportunity to build capacity for solar for the world. We have the opportunity to actually lead into the future, generating opportunities and astounding work/jobs.
Caregiving has LONG been undervalued and simply an expectation of women to do caring work for free. This, alone, could change the future.
Heather, you are wondrous and the light of the day in my small life. I am ever grateful.
Thank you.
“Over the course of two days and eight sessions, President Biden convened heads of state and government, as well as leaders and representatives from international organizations, businesses, subnational governments, and indigenous communities, to rally the world in tackling the climate crisis, demonstrate the economic opportunities of the future, and affirm the need for unprecedented global cooperation and ambition to meet the moment.”
That is leadership.
The emergence of China as a global alternative energy provider reminds me a bit of how US automakers doubled down on big cars rather that get out in front of small car manufacturing.
Also, I'd like to see climate efforts address refugees, as we are already seeing increases in the numbers of refugees due to climate change and will continue to do so. We tend to focus on the political reasons that people flee. As drought and other significant weather events occur around the globe, more people will be displaced or unable to get water to drink or grow food to eat.
I sat with a client yesterday who is a Trumpster. Every word that came out of her mouth was about going backward. Going backward and still praising the “leadership” “qualities” of that former person. This is the backward energy that he hooked his supporters into believing was actually going to save them. As I read this letter this morning the contrast is frighteningly clear. My son said to me one time, “they will either go kicking and screaming or they will go with the flow ....but they’re going to HAVE to go“. And here we are living in a country where nearly half the people in it long for yesterday and dig their heels in at the mention of progress.
I am 71 and I long for yesterday also but I have the intelligence to know that it doesn’t exist anymore and it probably shouldn’t. Crack open a bottle wine, take out the old photos and have a cry but wake up in the morning and move into the present. It’s already here waiting for you.
“infusion of up to $1 billion”.... for the dying coal industry... the Republicans welfare queen!
Energy Security is National Security. If you don't agree you haven't been watching China very closely. They get (have got) it. We are playing catchup and its about damn-time. The world-stage is shifting on many levels and America CANNOT let itself be the red-headed-stepchild to China...it will literally mean the end of American influence if not dominance (assuming we can still even brag about that with a straight-face)... I give MAJOR props to Biden and his team for seeing this and making it a serious priority. As they say in Dumb and Dumber: [but] there's a chance!
While “Biden’s American Jobs Plan already calls for $16 billion to clean up abandoned mining sites and more for the training in new infrastructure jobs coal miners want. “
China is investing the same amount on training the next generation of climate scientists. Have you heard about Zhu Kezhen. There are generations of climate scientists he trained.
http://www.ehangzhou.gov.cn/2020-09/03/c_271143.htm
It is not about bringing jobs back, but research and development.
I’m shocked and delighted at how Biden has moved us this far, this fast toward a progressive future agenda. I live in Texas, where one of our senators is a Trump enabler and the other has is a Steve Bannon imitator. But the people are coming around.
It’s a good thing our infrastructure is so decayed, because it’s hard to argue that we need more of the same. I have two neighbors, friends in friendlier times. One bought a lifetime supply of 100 watt incandescent light bulb when the government started regulating them and the other bought a pallet of R-12 refrigerant just before it was banned. Fortunately, they are boomers, like me, and chances are they’ll die with their investments in pollution safely stored in their garages or attics. In the meantime, I was able to switch my electric plan to an all renewable plan called MP2, owned by Shell. Yes, Shell Oil. The big energy companies will be energy companies 25 years from now only if they are carbon-neutral, at worst.
I think that the regulations past during the Obama administration, such as the tax rebate for electric vehicles and the solar and wind energy subsidies, served their purpose and gave those technologies enough boost to make them competitive with fossil fuel technologies. I bought an EV four years ago, with a $7500 tax credit, and I’ll buy another one if Biden renews the credit. It’s a way better driving experience than the old cars, so I’d buy another EV anyway. The extra tax savings is gravy.
Fossils fuels have been heavily subsidized for many years, including with massive wars. Imagine where we might be now if the Supreme Court has given Gore the election in 2000, instead of Bush. Rather than investing $trillions in wars and regime change in the Middle East, what if we had invested that money in new energy and gotten out of the Middle East. I think that’s were Biden is leading us now and I’m delighted by it.
I am so glad Joe Biden is our President.
President Biden is a steady light in a dark time. When his popularity starts winning down ballot elections, I’ll begin to breath freely. Until then, there are states to win back. Celebrate each victory, then back to work.
I open your work every day and my mind gallops off on a new possibly for recovery. I think of the Trump whatever that was as Chernobyl! Staying afloat mentally and spiritually in endless negativity, death, cruelty and corruption took everything I had. Thank you for teaching us that it is ok to dream again.
I am pleased to see that President Biden has made addressing the climate crisis a priority. Climate crisis is inextricably linked with the way we consume energy, and I am also glad that he is pushing for "clean" energy, not just "renewables." Electrifying transportation will require doubling our electricity production. Another 50% will be required to re-engineer our industrial processes that rely on fossil resources.
Emphasizing jobs that renewables provide may be necessary for getting his agenda passed through the Congress, but wind and solar will not suffice. Besides, scaling wind and solar to meet all our energy needs will seriously constrain the global supply chains of commodities like steel, glass, concrete, and copper, not to speak of lithium and rare earth metals. It is absolutely important that we expand nuclear power, the one safe and scalable source of clean energy. It has the smallest environmental footprint and the best safety record but first public opposition to nuclear power must be overcome. Getting the public to embrace nuclear power is a Herculean task, but it must be undertaken. We have to (i) educate the public (ii) stop closing functional nuclear power plants; (iii) remove the barriers for financing nuclear projects; (iv) expand the fleet of nuclear power plants; and (v) develop and deploy the next generation of walk-away safe plants that can also use the spent fuel as a resource.
Biden needs to shut down pipeline construction on the tar sands Dakota pipeline and line 3 if he is sincere in stopping fossil fuels.allowing building more pipelines creates increases fossil fuels.
Reading today's letter, especially the part about the coal industry, made me realize how the whole issue of climate change's economic impact has tracked with the Five Stages of Grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and, finally, Acceptance.
It appears different segments of the fossil fuels industries are at various stages along this trajectory. But the end is inevitable.
Thank you, Heather. "After four years in which our leaders saw the height of American strength as standing alone, our leadership is now focusing on the idea of international teamwork. Biden’s climate plan is about saving the planet, but it also seems to be about saving global alliances, binding countries together with a new climate agreement to retain their power over their own energy in the future." That sounds like a wise, sensible way to govern to reinstate our standing in the world community and to take positive steps to save life as we know it on our planet.