Risky Climate
Are Economists to Blame for Climate Inaction?
Biases inherent to the way economics is typically practiced by consultants is slowing meaningful progress on fighting climate change.
Firefighters battle the Caldor Fire in Meyers, California, on Aug. 31.
Photographer: David Odisho/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
We’re long past the days when uttering the words “climate economist” elicited confusion, pity, or worse: “Which is it? Pick your side! You can either focus on the climate, or the economy, not both.”
Nowadays, though, there’s another reaction that is more common, especially in many progressive circles that are typically most concerned with tackling climate change: “It’s your fault.”