Carbon Math

We have five times as much oil and coal and gas on the books of energy companies as climate scientists think is safe to burn. That was the takeaway from Bill McKibben's recent Rolling Stone article titled "Global Warming's Terrifying New Math." McKibben says it is his single most important work since his first book The End of Nature nearly thirty years ago. Now the activist is launching a "Do The Math" campaign around the country to galvanize support for stronger action to reduce carbon pollution.

 

John Hofmeister says environmental measures driven too quickly will only backfire as the inconvenience or cost meets grass roots resistance.  Time is an ally, he says, and enhances our ability to adapt to change. Energy companies are not monoliths and can be part of the solution.