A rise of 7 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 4 degrees Celsius, compared with preindustrial levels would be catastrophic, according to scientists. Many coral reefs would dissolve in increasingly acidic oceans. Parts of Manhattan and Miami would be underwater without costly coastal defenses. Extreme heat waves would routinely smother large parts of the globe.
But the administration did not offer this dire forecast as part of an argument to combat climate change. Just the opposite: The analysis assumes the planet’s fate is already sealed.
The draft statement, issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), was written to justify President Trump’s decision to freeze federal fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks built after 2020. While the proposal would increase greenhouse gas emissions, the impact statement says, that policy would add just a very small drop to a very big, hot bucket
Well, you know, fuck it, right? Article goes on to quote various people who are "shocked" that policymakers would just come out and say it like this. But it's hardly surprising. Some of us have been trying to explain for a very long time, climate change is no different from any other political crisis. It doesn't unite the classes. It heightens the contrast between them.
No one with enough wealth and power to put themselves in charge is going to "fix" climate change. They're only going to use their wealth and power to protect themselves from, and where possible, profit by its effects. If your city is swallowed by the ocean in the process, well that's too bad for you. Also, hey, maybe they can sell you some "resilience" products in the meantime. Can't leave that money on the table either.
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