INTERNATIONAL
BUILDING A GREEN FUTURE? Why this moment in history demands climate optimism WORDS BY GRANT MORGAN | ART BY AMANDA O’BRIEN
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hose paying attention to the news surrounding climate change recently may have noticed some concerning trends. From the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) “code red” declaration in their most recent climate report and the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) suggestion to stop oil drilling this year, to the United Nations’ new “now or never” climate change slogan, the situation
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appears to be increasingly alarming. Many, including those within politics, are starting to think humanity has truly found a problem it is unable to solve. However, this line of thinking is not only erroneous; it is also unacceptable. Climate change is an existential problem, but if handled correctly, it is also a substantial opportunity, not only for America, but for the entire world as a whole. Despite what many think and feel, climate doomerism
is not the correct response to our current problems; instead the current moment in history requires a new political movement which is predicated on optimism, hope, and unrelenting determination. Our Current State in the Climate Crisis When assessing the current situation, the outlook does appear bleak. From President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better legislation being reduced from $3.5
