GreenPolicyProf

George Hoberg

October 15, 2009

Today is Blog Action Day for climate, and we at GreenPolicyProf wanted to add our support.

We’ve been blogging about climate action issues over the past year. Our analysis of the political dilemma of climate action shows why a massive political mobilization is necessary to change the political behavior of the politicians who are making the critical decisions about climate policy. We emphasize the political dilemma that the costs of action are here, now, and relatively certain, but the benefits of action are global, distant in time, and highly uncertain. To internalize the externalities created by greenhouse gas emitting activities, politicians have to raise energy prices, imposing costs on voters and powerful interest groups.  Yet politicians have been reluctant to do so, because the benefits are globally diffused, long term, and highly uncertain. They won’t take action unless they are forced to by political pressure.

We see particular hope in youth action on climate change. In our post on the emerging youth climate movement, we argue that a youth movement promises to reshape the temporal, inter-generational component of the dilemma. If a youth movement could succeed in making adults place greater weight on the consequences of their actions (and inactions) for children, it would prove to be powerful political catalyst for meaningful climate action in Copenhagen and beyond.

350.org and many affiliated organizations are working to create a massive event on October 24. Here is an opportunity to demonstrate to politicians that there is massive public support for vigorous climate action. Please get out and participate in your local event. And if you have them, take your kids with messages designed to reframe the thinking of adults – politicians but also all polluters — to focus on the consequences for their kids and grandkids of their inaction.

 Our local event in Vancouver is Bridge to a Cool Planet, starting on the Cambie Bridge at noon. I hope to see you there!

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