U.S. cities and states (notably California) adopting costly emissions reductions that deliver essentially no climate benefit is explained by a combination of confusion (not seeing that the problem requires broad international participation), hope (that local action may trigger a cascade spurring international action), and a perceived moral obligation toward vulnerable nations like India and African countries that face severe harm even from moderate (~2.5°C) warming.
causalpending
Speaker
Cass SunsteinEvidence Quote
“the confusion I think people just don't see ... the extent to which the climate change problem just isn't going to get meaningfully address without very broad international participation ... the hope which is a noble one is that ... it will maybe start a cascade ... and the the perceived moral obligation I think is some of these localities think that ... this is at least the start of some way of helping people who are especially vulnerable”
Created: 6/15/2026, 9:17:23 AM
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