Climate Change and Global Shipping
The article discusses how climate change is affecting global shipping and trade, particularly in two regions that are of interest to the US government: Greenland and the Panama Canal.
- Greenland: Rising temperatures have led to significant ice melt, making the area more accessible for oil and gas drilling and mineral mining. This has attracted international interest, but also raises concerns about environmental harm.
- Panama Canal: Climate change is causing droughts and rising sea levels, threatening the canal’s lock system and freshwater supply. The canal authority has proposed a $1.6 billion project to secure freshwater.
The article also mentions that China and Russia are working together to develop Arctic shipping routes, and that the US government is paying more attention to climate change’s impact on global shipping.
Trump’s Interests
The article notes that Donald Trump wants to acquire Greenland and reclaim control of the Panama Canal, citing national security concerns. However, experts suggest that Trump’s interests are also driven by climate change, which is making both regions more important for global shipping and trade.
Climate Change Consequences
The article highlights the consequences of climate change, including rising sea levels, droughts, and increased risk of environmental disasters such as oil spills. It also mentions that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has promoted the use of toxic fertilizer, which has been linked to health problems.
I think they will “obey” but it will cost Trump an enormous amount of political capital. Any trouble at all in a war like that, any serious insurgency or international blowback, will have an outsized effect on public perception. Americans DO NOT like foreign wars, it’s weirdly part of what got trump elected, frustration with neo-liberal interventionism is an often overlooked element of his bases sense of grievance.