9 votes

Gathering storm: The industrial infrastructure catastrophe looming over America’s gulf coast

3 comments

  1. [3]
    UniquelyGeneric
    Link
    This was a nice depressing read about what’s to come. I feel like the general summary is “we know what to do, but we’re not doing it,” which seems like a climate change mantra. Outside of federal...

    This was a nice depressing read about what’s to come. I feel like the general summary is “we know what to do, but we’re not doing it,” which seems like a climate change mantra.

    Outside of federal regulation clearly being a practical solution, it does feel like the remaining options would be band-aids on an open wound.

    “For every dollar spent, we save two in what we’re protecting,” she said. “When I say it pays for itself after one storm, I’m not kidding.”

    One would hope that the financial incentives alone could shift the capitalist machine into action, but it looks like the scientists have acquiesced that it will truly take a disaster to spur corporations to action (e.g. Fukushima).

    6 votes
    1. Abrown
      Link Parent
      Climate change mantra, pollution mantra, governance mantra, human rights mantra, you name it. Academia, think-tanks, and regional development/governance groups have had frameworks and answers to...

      Climate change mantra, pollution mantra, governance mantra, human rights mantra, you name it. Academia, think-tanks, and regional development/governance groups have had frameworks and answers to these issues for years and it always comes back to your summary: “we know what to do, but we’re not doing it”.

      The financial incentives are shifting it into action to be fair - see the rise of Corporate ESG in the last few years. Several large banks won't touch you if you don't have an ESG framework in place at this point already, but it's definitely not enough and the companies we want to make these changes first will ultimately be the last, IMO. Maybe the banks can pressure them.

      4 votes
    2. skybrian
      Link Parent
      If you want to read a science fiction story about financial incentives inspiring climate change action in Texas, even taking place in the same area described in this article, Neal Stephenson has a...

      If you want to read a science fiction story about financial incentives inspiring climate change action in Texas, even taking place in the same area described in this article, Neal Stephenson has a new book out.

      So far it’s much like other Neal Stephenson novels. There is the usual assortment of colorful, larger-than life characters with unusual skills.

      1 vote