This opinion piece by Sarah Datta on climate change explores the psychological burden global citizens face – A daily battle with guilt and a sense of responsibility imposed by past generations. While personal actions like recycling and reducing meat consumption are encouraged, their effectiveness on a global scale is questioned.
In her piece, she speaks about the Geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US and China, one that emerge as significant hurdles in the transition to green energy. She cleverly explains the oversaturation of the market by China, a development which threatens the efforts of the Biden administration to bolster the clean energy sector in the US.
Overall, she submits:
As helpful as individual action can be, and as good as it can make us all feel, I don’t believe individual action is truly that effective. Especially at the scale of the global climate crisis, an issue surrounded by bureaucratic red tape and swathed in political divide.
Right now, I think our biggest hurdle in climate change is geopolitics.
The Interchange
Despite the Biden administration’s initiatives, such as subsidies for clean energy, concerns persist over potential setbacks in climate policy and their political ramifications.
The complexity of climate politics is accentuated by instances like the approval of the Willow project, where economic considerations clash with environmental concerns, showcasing the challenges in navigating climate policy. Amidst the frustration with politics and the urgency of climate action, the narrative emphasizes the importance of playing the long game and maintaining a pragmatic approach.
While individual efforts are crucial, the call to action extends to civic engagement, urging everyone to participate in the upcoming elections as part of the broader effort to address climate change.
Read the complete piece HERE