Book SummaryClimate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal, by Noam Chomsky and Robert Pollin

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal

The Character and Immediacy of the Ecological Emergency

Climate Change: An Unprecedented Threat to Humanity

Climate Crisis and Nuclear War Threaten Human Society's Survival

Chomsky argues that humans face unprecedented crises today—the risk of nuclear war and climate change, unlike any humanity has encountered. These crises could mean the end of human civilization as we know it, requiring global cooperation for solutions. He highlights that responsibility for addressing the climate crisis falls on those with the capacity to act and those who, over centuries, have benefited from causing the crisis.

Chomsky uses the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists' Doomsday Clock to illustrate the imminent threat. Since its inception after Hiroshima, the clock has indicated humanity's proximity to destroying itself, now closer than ever due to escalating threats of nuclear war and climate catastrophe. The cancellation of vital agreements like the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the Open Skies Treaty, and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty exemplifies the escalating danger, with the US, under Trump, leading the charge towards potential nuclear conflict. While climate scientists are issuing increasingly dire warnings about the devastating effects of climate change, nations are amplifying the risk by failing to take collective action and simultaneously escalating military spending, failing to heed the crucial question, “Who will defend the Earth?”

Context

• Melting ice caps and glaciers, along with the thermal expansion of seawater, are causing sea levels to rise, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems worldwide.

Other Perspectives

• While the crises are severe, human civilization has shown remarkable resilience in the face of past challenges, suggesting that it may adapt and survive these as well.
• There is a perspective that suggests localized or regional solutions can be more effective and immediately actionable, as they can be tailored to specific environmental and socio-economic contexts.
• The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic representation and not a scientific measure of risk, so it may not accurately reflect the precise level of threat from nuclear war and climate catastrophe.
• The cancellation of treaties may not necessarily escalate danger if it leads to the creation of newer, more relevant agreements that better address current security concerns and technological advancements.
• The US, under various administrations, has engaged in both escalation and de-escalation of nuclear tensions, suggesting that the trend is not unique to the Trump administration.
• Some nations may contend that their military advancements and spending are defensive, not aggressive, aimed at deterring potential threats and thus maintaining global stability.
• The question might be seen as anthropocentric, implying that the Earth needs humans to defend it, when in fact, the Earth has undergone and survived drastic changes long before humans existed.

Threats of Rising Seas, Severe Weather, Heat Waves, and Declines in Biodiversity From a Changing Climate

The authors present a bleak picture of intensifying effects of the changing climate that are already affecting the planet. They cite the work of researchers in the climate field reporting unprecedented storms, wildfires, dry spells, coral bleaching, extreme heat, and flooding occurring worldwide due to a temperature increase of 1.1 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century. They argue these effects are only just the beginning, with much more severe consequences predicted as global temperatures keep climbing.

Chomsky points out that scientific research, including studies published in Nature and IPCC reports, indicate that failure to address climate change will render large parts of the globe uninhabitable. Rising sea levels, a direct result of climate change, threaten to engulf cities near coasts and low-lying areas like Bangladesh, displacing millions and causing irreversible damage to ecosystems. The accelerating melting of glaciers and ice sheets, like the expansive West Antarctic Ice Sheet, further exacerbates the problem, raising sea levels and potentially leading to scenarios reminiscent of around 120 millennia prior, when the sea level was between six and nine meters above what it is now. The authors stress how critical the situation is, highlighting the diminishing window of opportunity for effective action and the need for global cooperation to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of a warming world.

Practical Tips

• Create a personal biodiversity sanctuary in your backyard or community space. Plant native species to provide habitat and food for local wildlife, which can help counteract the decline in biodiversity. Even a small garden can attract a variety of insects, birds, and small mammals. Choose plants that are indigenous to your area and require less water, reducing the strain on water resources.
• Support mangrove reforestation by purchasing products from companies that donate a portion of their profits to mangrove restoration projects. Mangroves act as natural barriers against storm surges and help in maintaining the coastal ecosystem. Look for certification labels or partnerships on product packaging that indicate a commitment to environmental causes, and choose these over others when shopping.
• Opt for a bicycle or public transportation instead of driving for short trips. Cars are major emitters of carbon dioxide, and by reducing your reliance on them, you're contributing to fewer emissions. If you live in a bike-friendly city, consider cycling to work once a week or taking the bus for errands. This not only cuts down on emissions but can also improve your physical health and reduce traffic congestion.

Other Perspectives

• The emphasis on a "diminishing window of opportunity" might downplay the importance of adaptation...

Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal Summary The Link Between the Climate Emergency and Capitalism

Capitalism's Pursuit Of Profit Drives the Climate Crisis

Fossil Fuel Corporations Knew of Environmental Risks but Obstructed Action

The authors identify the pursuit of profit within capitalist system as a primary driver of the climate emergency, arguing that the relentless pursuit of short-term profit by corporations, particularly those in fossil fuels, outweighs their knowledge of the long-term consequences of their actions for the planet and its inhabitants.

Pollin highlights ExxonMobil as a clear example of this dynamic. Despite their own researchers identifying climate risks as early as the 1960s, ExxonMobil chose to prioritize profit by actively engaging in climate denialism and lobbying against regulations that might hinder their operations. They concealed their knowledge of the forthcoming crisis, invested heavily in fossil fuel development, and actively fought to undermine public understanding of climate change, prioritizing their short-term financial interests over the long-term health of the planet. By prioritizing profit over responsibility, corporations like ExxonMobil have actively worsened the situation, say the authors. This example, the authors...

Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal Summary Preparing for a Worldwide Environmental Recovery

Green New Deal Must Achieve Significant Emission Cuts by 2050 to Limit Warming

Investing 2.5% of Global GDP Each Year in Efficient and Renewable Energy Can Achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050

The foundation of Pollin's worldwide ecological plan proposal is a comprehensive strategy for attaining net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, aligned with IPCC targets. He emphasizes that achieving this ambitious goal requires global commitment and significant new investments across every sector and region. Pollin believes that through a combination of substantial enhancements to energy efficiency standards and a significant expansion of clean renewable energy sources, mainly solar and wind power, the world can achieve a zero-emission energy system without sacrificing economic growth or well-being.

The heart of this proposal is a call for an average annual investment of 2.5% of global GDP in clean energy initiatives, equating to roughly $2.6 trillion dollars in 2024, the first year. Pollin envisions this investment being split equally between governmental and private sectors, emphasizing the critical role of government in not only funding initiatives but also in creating a...

Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal Summary Challenges to Enacting a Worldwide Environmental Initiative

Free-Market Ideology and Right-Wing Populism Hinder Climate Action

Neoliberalism Erodes Government, Increases Inequality, and Hinders Climate Action

The authors posit that the dominance of neoliberal ideology presents a significant barrier to effective climate action, arguing that the policies associated with neoliberalism have eroded public trust in government, exacerbated economic inequality, and weakened the regulatory tools necessary to effectively address the environmental crisis. The emphasis on free markets and privatization, they argue, has limited the capacity of governments to intervene in economic affairs and enact policies to promote a rapid shift to environmentally sustainable systems.

Chomsky argues that the neoliberalism's focus on individual responsibility and market solutions to societal issues often overshadows the collective action needed to address a global crisis like climate change. He criticizes the individualistic framing of environmental responsibility, exemplified by Jimmy Carter's suggestion to turn down thermostats during the energy crisis, as ultimately ineffective and distracting from the systemic changes needed to address the problem....