BLOOMBERG • October 31, 2021
While it’s easy to think the United Nations’ COP26 climate summit in Glasgow will flop, I see two strong reasons for optimism in the fight against climate change. The first is public awareness. There is now an unprecedented acceptance of the dangers of climate change. The other reason for optimism is more fundamental: Climate goals fit with economic self-interest to a much greater degree than once thought. The argument that more stringent environmental policies would crowd out investment and hurt business left many governments wary of green regulation. Research hasn’t borne out those fears. ~ Therese Raphael