Both supporters of Joe Biden and his critics indicate it will be hard to overturn many of Donald Trump’s environmental deregulatory moves. They offer different reasons, however. Sterling Burnett, writing in Climate Change Weekly, says Trump created new rules for the EPA that make quick re-regulation almost impossible. In contrast, the Biden team is emphasizing Trump’s…
Search Results for: climate change
Where Are the Environmental Critics of China?
When it comes to climate change, China talks about reducing emissions but keeps building coal plants. So why are environmental groups so soft on China? Francis Menton explains on the Manhattan Contrarian. He notes what two leading environmental groups say about China (and there are more examples): Environmental Defense Fund, “Why China is at the…
The Costs of Moving Away from Fossil Fuel
While American investors like Larry Fink of BlackRock are trying to get companies to account for the potential risks of climate change (such as costly drought and flooding), European investors want major companies to disclose the financial impact of the Paris Climate Agreement. In other words, the move to renewable energy—mandated by the Paris agreement—has…
Some Questions about ‘Environmental’ Investing
There’s an eerie resemblance between today’s ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing and the Porter Hypothesis, an earlier claim about how regulation can lead to profits. (Its architect, Michael Porter, Harvard business professor, is pictured here.) First, some definitions: ESG investing means investors choose companies that meet certain non-financial criteria. So, in the environmental area…
‘Follow the Science’? What If the Science Is Eugenics?
Whether it is Covid-19 or climate change, we keep hearing that we must “follow the science.” With Covid-19 it’s evident that we need to be wary. The science can change as we learn more. One day the science tells us the virus rests for hours on surfaces; the next day we learn that it is…
The Coming Green Disaster
With Trump out of the way, the green movement may be unstoppable. Joel Kotkin explains in Real Clear Energy. “The real power of the environmental movement derives from those who occupy ‘the commanding heights’ of our society—at the corporate, media, and academic realms. Though arguably not holding views as economically ludicrous as AOC’s, mainstream corporate…