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I'll take the other side of the issue here, and still argue that this argument is horrible. I'd love if we did something about global warming, but who the hell is doing anything? All the ideas thrown around are gimmicks with little effect on emissions, and Asia's growth in the last 20 years has already compensated for anything the US could possibly do, including magically cutting carbon emissions to 0. I don't see how anyone calling themselves a "rationalist" can spin this issue into a (non-) endorsement.
Counterpoint: Trump's proposed tarrifs on China (which he seems likely to attempt again) are the best piece of environmental action that could happen. As you say, Asia compensates for any reductions in the West. The Rationalist take is to use all means possible to force Asia to follow Western regulations, tarrifs on cheap Chinese good flooding Western markets are a very good way to force that change.
Credit where it is due: the Biden admins de minimis reforms are also a good step in this direction. Now if we could just renegotiate the UPU treaties that make it 400% more expensive to ship a brick across Smalltown USA than from mainland China, we'd really be making progress.
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Ironically, if he makes up on his promises to bring back nuclear, he might end up being the only American leader doing something significant on the net.
Not holding my breath though.
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