My key takeaway from this week’s guest speaker, readings, and discussion, is the importance of leading by example, including when addressing environmental issues. For instance, Robin Kirk mentioned how being a persuasive American human rights advocates intervening in foreign affairs is incredibly challenging, not only because countries have their own values, beliefs, and interests, but also due to the valid perception that human rights are violated in the United States as well. This is particularly exemplified through “enhanced interrogation”, also known as torture. As John Oliver put it: “There is no proof that torture does any good, but there is real proof that it does serious harm to America’s image overseas. References to American torture show up everywhere; from terrorist recruiting tools to statements from North Korea who have called out techniques ‘brutal medieval’”. With the rest of the world viewing the United States as a nation who has significant human rights issues, there is no wonder that other countries such as Colombia and Peru in the 1980s and 1990s referenced by Kirk interpreted America’s advice as ironic.
The same principal can be applied to combatting climate change. The United States is the second largest emitter of CO2, releasing 15 % of the world’s total CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. However, despite being one of the main contributors, the United States have taken several steps back when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the most publicized one being Trump’s announcement of pulling out of the Paris Agreement. Not only has the U.S. lost a lot of influence in international policy regarding climate change, America has lost respect and influence in general. Countries such as China have seized the opportunity to win the hearts and minds of the world, declaring combatting climate change “an international responsibility”. Thus, an authoritarian government run by the Communist Party for 68 years has come on top as the moral champion.
Fortunately, cities, states, companies, and universities have also lead by example through pushing back on Trump’s statement. In fact, a group of 30 mayors, three governors, more than 80 universities, and more than 100 businesses have pledged to meet the greenhouse gas emission targets under the Paris Agreement.
The latter illustrates how leading by example, although done by a smaller entity, can still have a significant positive impact in the grand scheme of things. And this boils down to the individual; we must look at how we can take measures ourselves to fight climate change. Because as we stated in class; combatting climate change starts locally.
