Americans are competitors. It’s in our national DNA. That’s why I’m convinced President Biden’s administration is faltering when they argue ‘leading by example’ in the discussion of climate solutions.
For better or worse, our national conscience is often driven by a finite, winner-take-all mindset driven by the way we talk about the issues and challenges of the day. You don’t have to dig far back into our history for proof. But since I’m a space nerd, let’s just look at the 1960s as an example. Were we “leading by example” in the space race? No, we were looking to wipe the floor with those commies. We chose to go to the moon “not because [it was] easy, but because [it was] hard” – and I’d argue because we believed we could do it better than anyone else.
Fast forward to the 2021 climate change debate. Are we appealing to the average American’s competitive spirit? Not in the least – or at least not effectively. Worse yet, we aren’t hearing a narrative that challenges other countries to compete with us either. Why do broad swaths of Americans disdain the current climate debate? Many of us may just think we’re the only ones on the hook. This leads to an inevitable question: But what about the emerging economies?
In hearing administration officials discuss some of their goals recently, I heard a consistent refrain: we’re going to lead other nations down the path of righteousness by being an example. Ok, that’s fine and dandy. But is it the right message to pique our sense of national exceptionalism?
Gone, it seems, is the narrative of moonshots. We’re not dreaming big. We’re peddling fear without an opportunity for competitive heroism.
This may not be the observation you’re looking to hear in the climate space. In a perfect world, wouldn’t we wish to appeal simply to the rationality of the cause? If climate change poses the existential threat so many fear, why would it take more than simple logic to spur action? If we’re being honest, the answers are simply “no” and “because.”
When the current administration gets serious about climate change, you’ll know because they’ll change the narrative. They’ll become storytellers. They’ll place everyday Americans into the role of heroes, serve as a guide, and challenge them to be all that they can be. Until then, we’ll hear lofty goals.
I’m no climate change denier. Humanity has an obligation to steward this one planet we currently call home. But real change won’t come solely through government intervention – it has to come from a place of inspiration that swells the pride of average Americans. Not everyone wanted to go to the moon, but we certainly wanted to win. It’s time to change the narrative.
Try this on for size: We choose to innovate. We choose to be the best in the world at bettering the world. And we’ll prove, once again, that Americans will be second to none. This is a time for American greatness; and our land, our water, our air will stand as the envy of the world.
Part of the Possible 