Climate change efforts require cooperation between rivals.
Climate change reigns supreme as the main national security threat to the United States. The economic ramifications are astronomical. Climate change will disrupt agricultural and industrial productivity, and will lead to a major loss in land and life due to rising sea levels. More specifically, a 13-agency report, presented by the New York Times, stated that by 2100, 10% of U.S. GDP, $141 billion from heat-related deaths, $118 billion from sea level rise and $32 billion from infrastructure damage will be lost by the end of the century. To make matters even more daunting, economic and humanitarian crises are expected to occur as early as 2040.
As the destructiveness of climate change is felt around the world, almost every nation is engaging in international cooperation through conferences such as the Glasgow COP26. In this conference, a reassurance is felt: China and the United States agreed to pledge an agreement to tackle climate change together.
In a world in which the battle of ideologies is once again waged, the United States and China must together actively and passionately engage in efforts to subdue the threat of climate change. Otherwise, all our efforts will be for naught. And the way to do this is to alleviate our antagonism and to be more open to more diplomatic talks and negotiations.
Currently, the relationship between the two nations is at its nadir. In the South China Sea, China is advancing their military capabilities and making more threats to annex Taiwan. President Joe Biden, in response, has launched a military partnership called “AUKUS” with the United Kingdom and Australia. Additionally, Biden, in a CNN Townhall, has proclaimed that the United States will go to Taiwan’s aid if China does invade. In short, the world is seeing again a situation in which a challenge is brewing between a Western and Communist power which, if not abated, will lead to severe complications and even conflict.
What we need on this planet is not another Cold War or a situation like it. What we need in the United States is not a stubborn and persistent belief that China must be stopped at all costs, even if it means more militarism and conflict. What we need in this precarious moment in time is the ability to determine what is necessary for all human beings: that is simply the collective action of all nations who seek to rebuild and improve a planet that is more sustainable and more habitable for all life.
It is immensely difficult to accept this view. China is indeed a country that detains, persecutes, and endangers the Uighur people. They are indeed a country that violates the rights of Hong Kongers and they are indeed a country that is militarily threatening an island democracy. It is rightfully sensible to address these human rights violations with any diplomatic punishment. The problem lies within whether we use more punishments and more ventures such as a military buildup.
If military action against China is our course of action, which seems to be the case today, then China will refuse to take any part in our efforts to tackle climate change and crises will ensue. As China is the largest carbon emitter, we need them to join our efforts. What should be suggested on the part of the United States is both the concrete belief in advancing human rights and justice and the willingness to be diplomatic with China. Whether we resolve current tensions and address human rights violations lies with each other’s ability to sit down on that negotiating table. As President Kennedy said in 1961, “let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.”
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