environmental politics
Newsletter
Credit: Dan Meyers/Unsplash
Editorial: Environmental policies losing voter support amid economic concerns
Voter support for environmental policies is waning due to rising economic concerns, jeopardizing climate change initiatives.
In short:
- The European Greens lost over a quarter of their seats in the recent European Parliament elections.
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul halted a congestion pricing project aimed at reducing pollution and funding public transit.
- Environmental policies are facing resistance as voters prioritize economic issues like inflation and energy prices over green initiatives.
Key quote:
"Voters are not yet convinced that the effort is worth the costs."
— The Editorial Board, The Washington Post.
Why this matters:
This change in voter priorities could stall or even reverse critical climate legislation. For scientists and regulators, this presents a daunting challenge: how to convey the urgency of climate action in a way that resonates with an economically stressed populace.
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Newsletter
Environmental policy reversals causing economic instability
U.S. faces rapid policy changes with each administration, impacting environmental regulations and economic stability.
In short:
- The Biden administration is reinstating stringent pollution controls, reversing previous relaxations by the Trump administration.
- Business leaders and economists express concerns over the erratic policy environment hindering long-term industrial planning and investment.
- The pattern of frequent policy reversals affects various sectors, including energy and automobile industries, leading to increased costs and uncertainty.
Key quote:
“If that planning is happening now and I make a decision anticipating that three or four years from now there will be an emissions constraint, but then by the time the model is on the market the constraint is gone, then I’ve lost money."
— John Bozzella, president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation
Why this matters:
The frequent changes in U.S. environmental policies under different administrations create significant economic disruptions and uncertainties. This inconsistency complicates long-term business planning and investment, impeding sustainable economic and environmental progress.
Flashback to June 2020: As the nation reels, Trump Administration continues environmental policy rollbacks.
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Photo by Heidi Kaden on Unsplash
'Time to roll up our sleeves': Congress' long to-do list
Congress has just a few weeks to address a host of priorities with implications for energy, environmental and climate issues.
Photo by Snappy Shutters on Unsplash
Biden, Trump and ... whales? The GOP obsesses on blubbery sea mammals
Some Republicans say President Joe Biden's protections for endangered whales are raising gasoline prices. Others blame his offshore wind efforts for killing whales.
Newsletter
Photo by Syed F Hashemi on Unsplash
The coming Senate energy, environment committee shuffle
There are two top candidates to lead Democrats on both Energy and Natural Resources and Environment and Public Works.
Photo by hoch3media on Unsplash
The trials of Robert Habeck: Is the world’s most powerful green politician doomed to fail?
Podcast: A year ago, Germany’s vice-chancellor was one of the country’s best-liked public figures. Then came the tabloid-driven backlash. Now he has to win the argument all over again.
Newsletter
Why whale deaths are dividing environmentalists
Since December, at least nine whales have been stranded on beaches in New Jersey and New York.
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