Net Zero Just Lost Its Political Magic As Data Centers Killed the “Existential Threat” Talking Point Overnight
Updated
The great chilling effect on political will to permanently alter society with net zero goals in an effort to halt climate change is being noticed.
The New York Times writes in its article titled How Should Democrats Talk About Climate Change the following:
“In California, Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, emerged as the front-runner to be the state’s next governor while taking campaign donations from fossil fuel companies and questioning the wisdom of California’s most stringent climate goals, like ending sales of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035.”
Meanwhile, the East Coast Democrats are appearing to adjust their approach as well as the Times writes:
“In the Northeast, Democratic governors including Kathy Hochul of New York, Ned Lamont of Connecticut and Maura Healey of Massachusetts, have all expressed openness to new gas pipelines.”
The more radical Democratic Socialists of America wing of the party is gaining popularity as those aligned are taking their own approach.
NY Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez officially rejoined the Democratic Socialists of America’s New York chapter this week. A notable move as she has not ruled out a run for the U.S. presidency or the U.S. Senate in 2028, positioning herself as a prominent national leader for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
In 2019 she said the world was going to end in 12 years due to climate change and that the fight against was “our World War II.”
With Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal legislation failing to pass, her recent Green New Deal for Public House appears to be the pivot. She’s also been critical of data center energy consumption but mostly on American’s electric bills.
In Michigan, Democrat party outsider Abdul El-Sayed stunned the party with his recent victory many pointed to as evidence that the party is being lost to more radical elements.
An Op-Ed by El-Sayed praised the Green New Deal also calling it a ‘public health new deal’ but even with his political momentum he refused to talk climate with FOX’s Jesse Watters during their interview.
An important point to remember as the failed pandemic response forced health and climate together into one monolith control mechanism of bureaucracy.
In 2023 Science wrote the paper Will climate change amplify epidemics and give rise to pandemics?
Even with the Trump Presidency, some Republicans are also testing the political temperature as a distinct and active segment of the Republican party engages with pro-climate change narratives and legislation.
Their approach differs significantly from that of Democrats rather than focusing on mandates, carbon taxes, or a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, “climate Republicans” framework their arguments around innovation, global emission reduction, energy security, and lowering consumer costs.
There are still moves being played somewhat behind the scenes. The climate PAC Invest in Tomorrow Coalition has spent millions to knock Rep. Andy Ogles, Rep. Ralph Norman and Chip Roy out of their races for being “traitorous” to clean energy interests.
The prime mover has been the tech industry and its ravenous data center buildout and energy grab. The ‘existential risk’ narrative politicians championed instantly because a transparent talking point as they backed away once AI needed its power supply.
Speaking to reporter John Stossel, author of “The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels” Alex Epstein spotlights the following:
In some pockets, the net zero push moves forward unabated. UK politicians are about to activate a climate fertilizer tax on farmers. The same farmers who are experiencing record low crop yields due to drought and as much as a 45% rise in fertilizer costs already since the war in Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz.
The ultimate sleeper may be the legal system as a major Supreme Court challenge is slated for this fall. Inside Climate News writes:
“Local and state governments across the United States have turned to state courts over the past nine years, filing lawsuits reminiscent of those against the tobacco industry in the 1990s against major fossil fuel companies, aiming to hold them accountable for climate change damages and alleged deception.”
Suncor Energy v. Boulder County is the leading case in a wave of more than 60 climate lawsuits filed against oil and gas companies since 2017.
The reason?
Their business model leads to climate change which harms residents and property.
The deeper picture of this legal fight may not be about climate change or saving the earth as the National Review writes:
“David Bookbinder, a former counsel of record in the Boulder case, described the strategy last year as “a rather convoluted way to achieve the goals of a carbon tax.”
Society’s appetite and political will for a net zero push along with its public health control mechanism baked in may be down now but it should be no surprise if it emerges in the deeper legs of the 2028 election and beyond. How it will be framed and sold will determine if it falls on its face or begins to rise again.
To understand the bigger picture, be sure to watch my documentary The Rush For Green Energy. A gripping exposé on climate politics and the cost of going green.