Break In Case of Emergency Emergency Marker 1: Spend what it takes to win (w/ Caroline Brouillette & Seth Klein)
Dec 3, 2025
Seth Klein, Director of the Climate Emergency Unit and author of 'A Good War,' and Caroline Brouillette, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada, dive into transformative climate investments. They argue for a WWII-style mobilization to commit at least 2% of GDP annually. The duo highlights the urgency of ending fossil fuel subsidies and discusses public versus private funding for climate infrastructure. With a focus on economic benefits, they emphasize the importance of strategic public investments and the moral case for divesting from fossil fuels.
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Tax Credits Can't Replace Public Build
- Tax credits alone won't deliver big public infrastructure because private partners may not step up.
- Many climate projects require direct public investment rather than relying on private finance.
China's Strategic Industrial Investment
- China has aggressively invested in EVs, batteries, and solar, spending roughly 10% of GDP in key sectors in 2024.
- Strategic state-led investment has rapidly lowered costs and accelerated global renewable adoption.
End Fossil Fuel Subsidies Now
- Stop public spending that props up fossil fuel projects and end fossil fuel subsidies to free revenue for climate action.
- Reallocate public investment from pipelines and subsidies to renewables and community-led solutions.