Jeff Bezos’ Jet Won‘t Fix the Climate Crisis

In this episode, Alex starts with an update from the Virginia gubernatorial election that is currently taking place (November 2nd). Currently, Youngkin (Rep.) and McAuliffe (Dem.) are neck and neck. It is looking like the election could lean towards Republicans, as recent election polls have seemed to undercount Republican turnout. Alex then discusses the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference which started on Monday and is taking place in Glasgow. Joe Biden, Boris Johnson, and other leaders have expressed that the threat of climate change is almost beyond repair, calling it a “one minute to midnight moment.” Other leaders have expressed the need for a public-private partnership to incentivize green technology in developing countries, Germany has offered to help South Africa ease off of coal, and Japan is offering to help Asia change their sources of fuel. The event has always led to a new deforestation agreement that was signed by highly forested countries like Russia, Brazil, Canada, and the US. Alex also mentions how the event has also led to calls of hypocrisy as Jeff Bezos showed up in a private jet and other wealthy elites have expressed no urgency and 20-30 year goals. 

 

In the second part, Alex discusses growing concerns that the 2024 Democratic presidential election cycle may center around Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg. An article in Business Insider mentioned that the Harris team is concerned that the 2024 cycle could be a “free for all” if there is a challenger. Alex finds this entire issue ridiculous because establishment democrats seem to be out of touch with what the country wants. Also, Kamala Harris is highly unpopular with the left and the right. Pete Buttigieg has also been on paid paternal leave during a supply crisis, while the democrats just gutted paid time off from the reconciliation bill. It seems like 2024 (and the midterms) could be a bloodbath for democrats unless they get their agenda and messaging together.