this post was submitted on 11 Nov 2024
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They do, but it doesn’t make the US less responsible for climate. If anything, the US seems to be right behind in a good number of rankings, so not great at all. The article itself mentions it too.
The article here highlights a different problem though. As they wrote, China may be a top polluter, but they’re investing in green and clean energy sectors and is already known to be fully dominating EVs and solar. It’s in their interest to do so not just for profits, but also for energy independence, which would reduce a leverage the world has over it, it would be easier for them to further their global agenda. The US, having to fight Big Oil all the way, is dragging its feet, and by electing Trump, they’re essentially saying “fuck the climate and green tech”, so it’s essentially letting China take the whole stage, if they’re not already hogging it.
If Trump does pull out of all green initiatives, which we all know he’s very likely to do, China will take the opportunity to have free reign at growing its soft power over all the world through its dominance in green energy and tech, displacing the current, already weakening soft power held by the US. And China absolutely knows how to wield their powers; we’ve seen this in their handling of various projects they’ve invested in many countries across the world: South America, South Africa, South East Asia (yeah yeah, “Global South”, sure).
Really wish this point was hammered harder, it's so unbelievably stupid, the way we're deliberately handing this opportunity off to anyone else. The US became economically dominant in large part by being well positioned to exploit and develop huge emerging tech scenes / markets, and then doing that by funding R&D, projects, etc.
We're again positioned to be absolutely dominant in one of the most important, or maybe the most important, tech booms of humanity so far. "Conservatives" should love the idea of getting viable green technologies first, it's THE way to keep the global order similar to how it's been.
Not that I personally want things to stay like that per se, but regardless better green tech sooner is generally better for the whole planet. It's insane to watch these idiots just focus on the near term and literally give away the keys to power for the next century.
I would also expect an I crease in carbon tariffs worldwide. They are allowable under wto rules and with the USA implementing tariffs, other countries will seek ways to do the same while protecting themselves. The USA not following two rules would be a boon to China and Russia to ignore patent laws. It will be carrot and stick.