Lobbyists against Climate Change

According to recent news stories, there is reason to hope that the U.S. government will finally address the causes of global climate change. I want to be very upfront and tell you that I don't want this blog to become one-dimensional - I am concerned with everything that I outlined in my first post last fall: population, economy, agriculture, energy, transportation, and the myriad of other concerns that face our state. However, climate change is the one challenge we face that has the ability to impact every thing else.

In today's news there are stories about a major lobbying initiative urging new federal regulations to combat the causes of global climate change. Ten large U.S. companies, including General Electric, Alcoa, DuPont, BP America and Duke Energy, in concert with four national environmental organizations, have announced their support for a cap-and-trade system of restrictions on U.S. carbon emissions. This U.S. Climate Action Partnership is calling for a mandatory nationwide cap on carbon-dioxide emissions and reductions by as much as 30% from today's levels within 15 years. For a succinct analysis of the major points of US-CAP's recommendations, you can check out the BlueClimate blog. (FYI - Noticeably absent from their proposal, and most recent discussions on climate change, is the more controversial but expedient carbon tax.)

It's compelling to think that prominent business leaders have decided that combating global climate change is "good for business." California is especially vulnerable, and no one benefits if our agricultural economy is crippled by changes in temperature or a reduction in water supply. If these warning signs have finally reached critical mass among American consumers this may have been part of what motivated these business leaders into action.

Perhaps this is why America's founders were so enamored of both John Locke and Adam Smith. While focusing on different fields of thought, these two enlightenment philosophers shared a common perception of optimization through empowering the voice of the many - the optimal government is the one in which ideas are freely debated and government is beholden to the voters, and the optimal economy is a free market of fully-informed consumers giving information to vendors through their purchasing power. In many ways, yesterday's announcement by US-CAP is the optimal result in a free market democracy - businesses responding to the demands of consumers and citizens.

Of course, another reason that this is happening is the political reality after the 2006 Congressional elections. There is a growing consensus among business leaders that federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions are inevitable, and the best way to shape the debate around the upcoming legislation is to get in on the ground floor. If this is the case, then kudos to Speaker Pelosi, her democratic colleagues, and the field of 2008 presidential candidates for finally putting this issue on the priority list for the U.S. federal government.