Down to the wire : confronting climate collapse / David - Index of
Down to the wire : confronting climate collapse / David - Index of
Down to the wire : confronting climate collapse / David - Index of
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8 introduction<br />
set <strong>the</strong> rules for <strong>the</strong> economy, enforce <strong>the</strong> law, levy taxes, ensure<br />
<strong>the</strong> fair distribution <strong>of</strong> income, protect <strong>the</strong> poor and future generations,<br />
cooperate with o<strong>the</strong>r nations, negotiate treaties, defend<br />
<strong>the</strong> public interest, and protect <strong>the</strong> rights <strong>of</strong> posterity. 7 Errant<br />
governments can wage unnecessary wars, squander <strong>the</strong> national<br />
treasure and reputation, make disastrous environmental choices,<br />
and deregulate banks and fi nancial institutions, with catastrophic<br />
results. In o<strong>the</strong>r words, we will rise or fall by what governments<br />
do or fail <strong>to</strong> do. The long emergency ahead will be <strong>the</strong> ultimate<br />
challenge <strong>to</strong> our political creativity, acumen, skill, wisdom, and<br />
foresight.<br />
It is time for a higher level <strong>of</strong> realism about our situation and<br />
<strong>the</strong> capacity <strong>of</strong> people in crisis <strong>to</strong> respond heroically. Many will<br />
disagree. Even at this late hour some are inclined <strong>to</strong> dismiss out<br />
<strong>of</strong> hand what <strong>the</strong>y call “doom and gloom,” preferring <strong>to</strong> talk<br />
about happier things. Believing that people can’t handle <strong>the</strong> truth,<br />
<strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong>fer instead variations on <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>me <strong>of</strong> “50 easy ways <strong>to</strong><br />
save <strong>the</strong> Earth” that threaten nei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> lifestyles <strong>of</strong> consumers<br />
nor <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> corporations. Many place <strong>the</strong>ir faith in heroic<br />
technology <strong>of</strong> one kind or ano<strong>the</strong>r. Some believe that <strong>climate</strong> can<br />
be stabilized at a pr<strong>of</strong>i t, without pain, suffering, or sacrifi ce. Such<br />
views, however, would have been far more plausible 30 years ago.<br />
Those casting <strong>the</strong>mselves as “optimists” underestimate <strong>the</strong> capacity<br />
<strong>of</strong> people <strong>to</strong> respond while misleading <strong>the</strong>m about <strong>the</strong> severity<br />
<strong>of</strong> what lies ahead and <strong>the</strong> adjustments that will have <strong>to</strong> be made.<br />
This book is written in <strong>the</strong> belief that people want <strong>to</strong> be <strong>to</strong>ld<br />
<strong>the</strong> truth and that with intrepid and competent leadership and<br />
encouragement most will rise <strong>to</strong> meet <strong>the</strong> realities ahead. And that<br />
is <strong>the</strong> best chance we have <strong>to</strong> get through <strong>the</strong> long emergency<br />
more or less intact.<br />
I also write with <strong>the</strong> assumption that we will succeed in reducing<br />
atmospheric CO 2 below <strong>the</strong> level that would cause runaway<br />
<strong>climate</strong> change; o<strong>the</strong>rwise, <strong>the</strong>re is no point in writing anything<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r than an elegy or funeral dirge. My focus, accordingly, is on