By Robert Stavins, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government, Director, Harvard Environmental Economics Program. – January 6
With inauguration day in the United States just two weeks away, it is
difficult to harbor optimism about what the Trump presidency will mean
for this country and for the world in realms ranging from economic
progress to national security to personal liberty (as I wrote in this
space one month before the November election – This is Not a Time for
Political Neutrality, October 9, 2016). In the wake of the election,
expectations are no better, including in the environmental realm (as I
wrote shortly after the election – What Does the Trump Victory Mean for
Climate Change Policy?, November 10, 2016). And since then, the
President-elect’s announced nominations for key positions in the
administration have probably eliminated whatever optimism some
progressives may have been harboring. Remarkably, the least worrisome
development in regard to anticipated climate change policy may be the
nomination of Rex Tillerson to become U.S. Secretary of State. Two
months ago it would have been inconceivable to me that I would write
this about the CEO of Exxon-Mobil taking over the State Department (and
hence the international dimensions of U.S. climate change policy). But,
think about the other likely candidates. And unlike many of the other
top nominees, Mr. Tillerson is at least an adult, and – in the past
(before the election) – he had led his company to reverse course and
recognize the scientific reality of human-induced climate change (unlike
the President-elect), support the use of a carbon tax when and if the
U.S. puts in place a meaningful national climate policy, and
characterize the Paris Climate Agreement as “an important step forward
by world governments in addressing the serious risks of climate change.”
Read on...http://www.theenergycollective.com/robertstavins/2395793/trying-to-remain-positive-on-climate
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