Climate Science: The Influence of Love and Hate

As an economist, I have spent my career studying risk management, and in the process, I have also become a climate scientist -- because climate change is the greatest risk to humanity. Climate science is closely tied to our emotions, particularly hate and love. The hatred of scientists and intelligence is one of the most significant factors contributing to the potential demise of modern civilization. If you're over 8 years old, you should NOT be reposting memes. Most memes are generated by foreign actors (e.g., Russia) attempting to sow division through hate. Memes that promote class warfare, advocate taxing the rich, reference corporate greed or the economy, criticize philanthropy, demonize immigrants, undermine climate science, or promote "drill, baby, drill" are prime examples. If you're under 8 years old, you shouldn't be on social media at all. STOP REPOSTING HATEFUL MEMES.

The solution lies in increased education and LOVE.

From a paper I coauthored: The government's actions, or lack thereof, represent their constituents' hate and ignorance, leading to a situation where "worst-case" predictions for climate change have become the "best-case" expectations. The ramifications of these decisions are dire, prompting a revision of climate models to reflect a much grimmer outlook. The new projections indicate a potential maximum global temperature increase of 9°C within this century, a stark rise from the previously estimated 4°C over the next millennium.

What Can I Do? There are plenty of things you can do to help save the planet: stop using fossil fuels, consume less, and love more.

Love has the transformative power to save the world in numerous ways:

1. Fostering Connection and Unity: Love brings people together, transcending boundaries of race, religion, nationality, and ideology. By fostering a sense of empathy, compassion, and understanding, love promotes unity and solidarity among diverse individuals and communities. When people come together in love, they can work collaboratively to address shared challenges and create positive change on a global scale.
2. Promoting Peace and Harmony: Love is the antidote to hatred, conflict, and violence. By promoting forgiveness, reconciliation, and mutual respect, love can help heal deep-seated divisions and promote peace and harmony within and between societies. When individuals and nations choose love over fear and hostility, they pave the way for peaceful coexistence and cooperation.
3. Inspiring Empathy and Altruism: Love cultivates a sense of empathy and concern for the well-being of others. When individuals act out of love, they are motivated to alleviate suffering, promote justice, and advance the common good. Love inspires acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness, creating a ripple effect of positive change that spreads throughout communities and across borders.
4. Protecting the Environment: Love for the natural world motivates individuals to protect and preserve the planet for future generations. When people recognize their interconnectedness with all living beings and the delicate balance of ecosystems, they are inspired to adopt sustainable lifestyles, promote conservation efforts, and advocate for environmental stewardship. Love for the Earth compels us to take action to address climate change, protect biodiversity, and ensure a healthy and sustainable future for all.
5. Empowering Social Justice: Love is inherently egalitarian, valuing the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. When people act out of love, they are committed to promoting social justice, equality, and human rights for all. Love drives efforts to dismantle systems of oppression, combat discrimination, and create inclusive societies where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By standing up for justice and advocating for marginalized communities, love can help create a more just and equitable world for future generations.

A Much, Much Better Approach
A more effective approach would be to tax negative externalities, similar to the taxation on cigarettes. For example, imposing a 100% tax on a barrel of oil and a 1,000% tax on a ton of coal could significantly disincentivize the use of fossil fuels. Such high taxes would make fossil fuels much more expensive, encouraging industries and consumers to transition to cleaner energy alternatives like wind, solar, and nuclear power. This shift would not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also mitigate the broader environmental harm caused by fossil fuel extraction and consumption, including air and water pollution.

Pollution from fossil fuels is the leading cause of death globally, contributing significantly to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The impact is disproportionately felt by the poorest and most disenfranchised populations, who often live in areas with higher pollution levels and have less access to healthcare. These communities are also more likely to suffer from the environmental and health consequences of fossil fuel extraction and burning, such as air and water contamination, leading to a cycle of poverty and illness. The burden of fossil fuel pollution is not evenly distributed; it exacerbates existing social and economic inequalities, making it a pressing issue for both public health and social justice. Addressing this challenge requires comprehensive policies that not only reduce emissions but also protect and uplift the most vulnerable populations.

Climate change will continue to exacerbate existing inequalities. As extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and other climate-related disruptions increase, those with fewer resources will struggle the most to adapt and recover. This growing inequality calls for a two-pronged approach: actively working to mitigate global warming and preparing for the socio-economic disparities it will inevitably deepen.

The Real Threat to Economic Security
Regrettably, the United States ranks among the least prepared countries globally, with the highest percentage of climate deniers. Politicians exacerbate the problem by hindering efforts against climate change. The Republican Party dismisses it as a manufactured crisis and plans to increase fossil fuel production. Political extremists asserting that the climate crisis is manufactured employ an ironic term, considering that human manufacturing activities are the primary driver of climate change.

Under President Biden, the United States continues to be the world's largest producer of oil, including crude oil, natural gas liquids, and other petroleum products. Both political parties have concurred to allocate unlimited emergency funding for climate disasters instead of proactively preventing them. In 2023, the U.S. witnessed a record number of climate disasters exceeding one billion dollars each, totaling 28 separate weather and climate-related events.

In June 2024, the Supreme Court significantly expanded its authority and severely curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to enforce environmental protection laws. This ruling represents a dramatic shift in the balance of power, undermining decades of regulatory progress aimed at mitigating environmental damage and climate change. The court's decision essentially nullifies the EPA's mandate to regulate emissions and enforce compliance with existing environmental standards.

The government's actions, or lack thereof, represent their constituents' hate and ignorance, leading to a situation where "worst-case" predictions for climate change have become the "best-case" expectations. The ramifications of these decisions are dire, prompting a revision of climate models to reflect a much grimmer outlook. The new projections indicate a potential maximum global temperature increase of 9°C within this century, a stark rise from the previously estimated 4°C over the next millennium.