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The past two years have been a checklist of the worst impulses of government or public sentiment. COVID allowed for supposedly temporary measures to morph into two years of “emergency” restrictions. What if COVID was just the opening act and another proclaimed crisis is actually the main event? One-by-one, imposing significant, but partial restrictions in the name of the common interest can allow for all-encompassing government control with relatively low backlash. Fear over climate change could lead us to long-term soft locksdowns. This is due to the precedent of a huge increase in government power and significant support of sweeping state actions.
This isn’t a right-wing fever dream. Influential figures and organizations are already calling for harsh government measures to save the environment. The Red Cross will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in November 2020. Proclamed that climate change is a bigger threat than COVID and should be confronted with “the same urgency.” Bill Gates recently demanded Dramatic measuresThey claim that climate change will make it worse than the pandemic. Last year, Mark Carney (ex-Governor of the Bank of England) predicted that climate deaths will occur despite millions of people having died from COVID. will dwarfThose who are affected by the pandemic. Lockdowns, which have significantly reduced carbon emissions for 2020, could be the solution. After all, the EU’s climate service gloated, the first COVID lockdown You may have saved 800 lives.
What would climate lockdowns look and feel like? Most likely, cities and state governments would begin a gradual but discrete ramp up of restrictions. Millions of Americans worked at home during the initial stages of the pandemic. This could become the norm if carbon taxes are implemented. These taxes could be imposed on individuals and companies to limit driving and air miles. You drive to work in a vehicle? The tax is yours. Climate lockdowns could also affect children. Schools, especially those heavily influenced by teachers’ unions, could impose permanent online-only days. India’s Delhi is already Use a versionThis concept is a way to cut down on smog pollution.
Some areas could also experience rolling blackouts in California-style, either by direct government intervention or ineffective green energy policies. As fossil fuels (and also nuclear power) become less popular, consumers may not be able to purchase new gasoline cars, lawnmowers or chainsaws.
Climate change is being addressed with significant measures already in place. California will ban the sale gasoline cars. 13 years, Germany will follow suit.. Britain plans to follow suit in just eight. According to this argument, a ban on internal combustion engines could save our planet. Every negative weather event is attributed to climate change. The government will continue to use its restrictive tools.
Natural disasters can cause death. Fallen by two-thirds over the past five decades, mostly thanks to technological innovations, elites insist that climate change is the “Most dangerous threat modern humans have ever faced.” Climate lockdowns and other restrictions will be framed as saving the people of the United States, and the world, from themselves. What could be more noble?
Anyone against such measures could be labeled a “climate denier” who stands against progress — or simply a “Domestic terrorist.” Defectors likely won’t have much choice, anyhow. Due to the incredible range of drones, facial recognition and plate-reading software could lead to severe enforcement. Don’t like the restrictions on your gas guzzler? The government could easily track its location and send automatic tickets — or worse. It is also extremely valuable for officials to be able to rely on a small group of zealous supporters in order to enforce measures. How many COVID “Karens” justify their fanaticism by contrasting themselves with uneducated, rural Donald Trump
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But don’t expect the new rules to apply to everyone equally. During the pandemic, elites don’t wear masks in private — only their servers, drivers and cleaners do. Your personal carbon footprint will be assessed and you will be held accountable under law or social convention. Climate evangelists like Jeff Bezos or “climate czar” John KerryThey will be eligible for special dispensations to reduce carbon emissions
The pandemic proved to set the standard for 21st century governance. The initial lockdowns were an attempt to learn more about the virus and shut it off. In hindsight, this overreaction will only serve as a backdrop to the next major government overreach. Imagine the powers that the government will take to counter a threat that could threaten billions of people.
Political leaders have learned that fear prompts the public to accept dramatic curtailing of freedoms for vague promises of safety — they must realize the incredible power at their fingertips. COVID was a cookie for the government, and power-hungry bureaucrats and officials can use the precedents of two years ago to implement a much longer and more comprehensive lockdown.
Kristin Tate is a libertarian writer whose latest book is “How do I tax you? A Field Guide for the Great American Rip-Off.” Follow her on Twitter @KristinBTate.
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