Climate change: What happens if democracies let merchants run the government | Opinion

By Donald Brown

Due to several lucky breaks during my career, I have had a front row seat for almost 40 years on climate change issues working for US EPA and the Pennsylvania DEP, and having taught or lectured in 38 countries on climate change science, ethics and law. During this time, I have witnessed elements of the fossil industry successfully prevent the United States and some other governments around the world from enacting needed climate change programs.

A U.N. Environment Program report issued last year claimed that to achieve the 2015 Paris Agreement’s warming limit goal of 1.5 0 C, the whole world must now reduce global GHG emissions by 7.6 percent every year from now to 2030, ten years ago governments would have needed to reduce 3.3% per year. If we wait until 2025, the world will need to reduce emissions by 15.5 percent per year. Every day we delay, needed GHG emissions cuts become more extreme, expensive, and difficult to achieve.

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Donald A. Brown is Scholar in Residence, Environmental Ethics and Law, Widener University Commonwealth Law School.

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