How Climate Change Is Like the Iraq War

Today is Blog
Action Day, during which many persons have agreed to write a
blog post about environmental concerns.  This is one of
thousands.



Consider Climate Change, and consider the Iraq War.  Other
than both being among the biggest mistakes ever made by humans, it is
not obvious, immediately, that they have much in common.
 However, there are common elements, and those common elements
help explain why the threat from both is persisting so long...

Both Climate Change, and the Iraq War, are going to be
enormously expensive.  But for both, the bulk of the expenses
are going to be paid later.  The reasons are different, but
the effect is the same.  The Iraq War is being fought on
credit, which is why the expenses are going to be paid later.
 For Climate Change, most of the expenses are yet to come.
 The effect is the same: in both cases is it easy to ignore
the problem, because we are not yet paying for them.  



Some may say that the problem is made worse by shoddy accounting.
 Accountants are not required to account for the costs of
activities that have a negative impact on the environment.
 Likewise, our government is free to engage in various kinds
of propaganda and accounting shenanigans.



The US government tell us they are reducing the deficit.  I
don't believe it.  Every day the war goes on, we incur costs
that will be required to rebuild the military.  But they don't
have to account for that.  They merely have to figure out, at
some later date, how to pay for it.



Likewise, the country as a whole is incurring costs for every day of
inaction on climate change.  Again, we do not have to put that
in the books, but the costs are real, and inescapable.



Another similarity: Both the War, and Climate Change, are not having a
direct, obvious effect on the vast majority of the people (in the USA).
 Of course there have been many tragic deaths in he War, but
the percentage of the population (again, in the USA) that has been
affected so far is minuscule.  In saying this, I don't mean to
discount the tragedy they have experienced, but rather to point out
that their sacrifice has not been shared widely.



With Climate Change, the effects are already being felt.
 However, it is not possible in any particular instance to
link the problem directly to climate change.   Katrina and
Rita: were they caused by, or amplified by climate change?
 Probably, but it is not possible to prove it.  Ditto
for deaths from heat waves, and the like.  



Like the situation with the War, most people go about their daily lives
with no appreciation of the fact that something catastrophic is going
on with their climate.  



Consider politics.  In the USA, liberals and progressives
populate (but do not control) the Democratic Party.  Social
and fiscal conservatives populate (but do not control) the Republican
Party.  Both Parties are controlled by corporations, and serve
corporate interests.  Different corporations dominate each
party, but both are dominated by corporations.  Based upon the
philosophical persuasions of each Party's respective constituencies, it
is not obvious why either the Iraq war or Climate Change would be
political issues.  Nonetheless, they are.  



There are exceptions: some union members are Democrats, yet oppose fuel
efficiency standards.  Some Republicans are enthusiasts of
outdoor activities (hunting, fishing) and are resoundingly protective
of the environment.  



Some Democrats think is is more important to be tough than smart, and
support the War.  Some Republicans think we should not stick
our nose where it does not belong, and oppose the War.



However, the corporate sponsors of both Parties think the War is a good
idea, thus both parties support he War (albeit to different degrees).
 But because of political considerations, the Democratic Party
has to adopt a faintly anti-war stance.  



When it comes to Climate Change, the corporate sponsors of both parties
hold sway, and prevent significant action.



With the War, as with Climate Change, the Parties are not representing
their constituencies.  There are significant differences
between the Parties on the precise beliefs of the constituents, and the
rationales provided by Party leadership.  But the net effect
is the same for both issues, in both Parties.  



In order for change to occur, it helps if the costs of not
changing are immediate.  It helps if the negative
impacts are felt on a daily basis.  It helps if corporate
influences do not predominate over the interests of the People.
 But in the case of the Iraq War, as with Climate Change, all
of the vectors for change are pointed in the wrong direction.
 These common elements explain why both problems persist,
despite the obvious consequences.