The Intelligence from The Economist To a concerning degree: dire climate assessments
Aug 14, 2020
Dylan Barry, a science writer for The Economist, discusses alarming findings from recent climate reports highlighting record temperatures and severe environmental impacts. Ashley Mears, a sociologist and author, dives into the intriguing economics of elite parties, revealing a hidden 'beauty brokerage' in the night-time economy. Together, they examine the role of pandemic-era changes on climate activism and how sports, particularly baseball, navigates health challenges while striving for a safe return.
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2020 Climate Trends
- 2020 has seen more extreme and unequally distributed climatic events, including wetter conditions and droughts.
- The hurricane season started much earlier than usual, with the nine earliest recorded hurricanes occurring before August.
Emissions and Fiscal Policy
- While pandemic lockdowns caused a substantial drop in emissions, it's insufficient to significantly impact long-term climate change.
- The pandemic's impact on fiscal policy could create room for increased investment in climate infrastructure.
Public Pressure and Market Trends
- Public and electoral pressure is crucial for governments to commit the necessary resources to fight climate change.
- Encouragingly, climate change has become a greater concern for many, especially younger generations.
