When I began posting this extended review of Hot, Flat, and Crowded two weeks ago, health care reform had a higher media and political profile than cap and trade legislation (which was also originally fast-tracked, then postponed until after the August Congressional recess).
The review ends with this post, health care reform still has a higher profile, but the issues Thomas Friedman addressed in his book on climate change and the need for a renewable/green energy revolution have consistently been subjects during the past two weeks of major media features. Here are three from this week:
U.S. Chamber of Commerce seeks trial on global warming
LA Times, Tuesday, August 25, 2009
U.S. Biofuel Boom Running on Empty
Wall Street Journal, Thursday, August 27, 2009
Groups launch attack on cap and trade
Politico, Thursday, August 27, 2009
The first and third article deal with organized resistance to climate change legislation, while the second describes the failure of an inadequately planned and subsidized alternative energy program. All three are relevant to Friedman’s main theme: the United States must lead the world in developing clean power and energy-efficient technologies and will therefore have to devote large sums and create controversial tax and environmental policies to support this goal.
The first chapter of the book is titled “Where birds don’t fly” and Friedman contrasts this image with his vision of America as a free-wheeling open space where innovators will find alternatives to carbon-based energy. Later in the book, though, he laments how our political system has impeded quick and decisive moves towards his 21st century vision of renewable energy and green jobs. He contrasts the need to satisfy various constituencies in the United States with the authoritarian approach China can take, citing as an example its sudden, countrywide ban of free plastic bags.
Authoritarian solutions won’t fly here, but Friedman warns that we must implement some unpopular policies if we are to start moving at a decent pace toward a future powered by renewable energy. A cap and trade policy actually isn’t Friedman’s recommended route; he prefers more direct policies and outlines the reasons in his book.
Summer 2009 ends soon, Congress will be back at work, and health care and cap and trade legislation will be on the agenda. Sunroom Desk will be following the debates.