My sense is that the administration has pretty much boxed itself in here. How con something be an existential threat to humanity, the world and our nation but not be an emergency? If it is declared I'll be curious as to what policies are proposed to accompany it.
It is a good question! I am not sure there is much that can be done administratively. My view is that such a declaration, if made, would serve to placate the progressives. That said, I think the politics are a bit tricky (which I guess is why this hasn't happened already!) Maybe Manchin relents on something and some legislation gets passed, but if not, I think the declaration will occur. Just my two cents (or less!) ...
It would be fun to see how Biden's people spin the reasons for the emergency.
My sense is that the administration has pretty much boxed itself in here. How con something be an existential threat to humanity, the world and our nation but not be an emergency? If it is declared I'll be curious as to what policies are proposed to accompany it.
What's the chance of them making a coherent case for declaring an emergency and presenting meaningful policies to address it.
Just as a political strategy it doesn't make sense. Why would the Dems want to load another sack of negativity on to the backs of their supporters?
It is a good question! I am not sure there is much that can be done administratively. My view is that such a declaration, if made, would serve to placate the progressives. That said, I think the politics are a bit tricky (which I guess is why this hasn't happened already!) Maybe Manchin relents on something and some legislation gets passed, but if not, I think the declaration will occur. Just my two cents (or less!) ...
Worse than distraction really. It gives a deeply flawed signal that this might make a difference when what is needed is urgent work on two very different fronts : reducing the vulnerability emergencies that abound at community scale while pursuing energy transformations that will unfold on the scale of many decades. The Brennan Center has done a heap of work laying out the structural and Constitutional issues. I explored all of this here: https://revkin.bulletin.com/it-s-essential-to-act-on-climate-emergencies-unfolding-on-a-heating-flooding-fiery-planet-but-a-mistake-for-biden-to-declare-one
Excellent!