Ariel's Post

The argument presented in Friedman’s article offered a unique perspective. I had not previously thought of the solution to climate change as a race between nations. Instead, I had viewed climate change as a destructive force brought about by negative collective actions. Thus, I had always felt that climate change must be fought through collective actions— empowering individuals around the world to be more responsible with fossil fuel consumption, implementing cross-national agreements to install climate change goals, etc.

Friedman’s view as combating climate change as a race between nations is, therefore, a bit foreign to me. However, unlike McKibben (see Eaarth page 49), I can’t see much harm in viewing climate change in this manner. It’s a nice thought to think that individuals might bond together to alter their consumption patterns, or nations might meet to collectively produce an agreement that accomplishes something. However, those things don’t seem very probable. Because there isn’t a “world government” or “world president” holding nations accountable to their promises, who’s to say that a world climate change agreement would get (or has gotten) much done? Rather, when thinking about how international relations really works, it does make sense that nations often do things because they feel international pressure to do so. It makes good sense that the United States might need to install more “green jobs” and initiate more “green projects” to appear as if they are keeping up with China. And believe me, I’m the last person you’d expect to believe we have something to learn from China.

I do believe that green jobs and green projects are a good means through which to address climate change. While McKibben won’t agree with Friedman or myself here, I believe that such means, if used on a large scale and effectively managed, have the ability to help solve the climate crisis. However, I think that portraying “green jobs” and “green projects” as the entire solution to climate change is misleading. Issues of climate change are deeply embedded in our social patterns, especially in the United States. Installing “green jobs” and “green projects” is only half the battle. The other half is motivating individuals to make meaningful changes in their lives that better the environment.