This kind of cynicism just encourages inaction. First, it frames the problem as only that of the powerful.
But largely, opinion polls are against the kind of action that would be useful. Nuclear, for example, is the only baseload tech we currently have at scale that doesn't burn carbon. It is widely opposed and public pressure has led to regulations blocking it or even expanding it.
Second, a lot of ultra wealthy ARE funding research. Bill Gates contributed substantially (though pulled back recently).
Stripe notably has made Stripe Climate, which lets businesses contribute shares of revenue to carbon sequestration tech, which is absolutely vital to removing CO2 from the air if we somehow got to net zero. They promoted it heavily and made great UI to allow businesses to list it as a marketing expense.
The real block is us. Public opinion is very powerful. Now, specific companies have worked mightily to convince the public not to act, particularly from the oil sector.
But the convenient message of gloom posting is not to do anything not to believe in doing anything and fob it off to the rich.
(I use Stripe Climate, it's great)
But largely, opinion polls are against the kind of action that would be useful. Nuclear, for example, is the only baseload tech we currently have at scale that doesn't burn carbon. It is widely opposed and public pressure has led to regulations blocking it or even expanding it.
Second, a lot of ultra wealthy ARE funding research. Bill Gates contributed substantially (though pulled back recently).
Stripe notably has made Stripe Climate, which lets businesses contribute shares of revenue to carbon sequestration tech, which is absolutely vital to removing CO2 from the air if we somehow got to net zero. They promoted it heavily and made great UI to allow businesses to list it as a marketing expense.
The real block is us. Public opinion is very powerful. Now, specific companies have worked mightily to convince the public not to act, particularly from the oil sector.
But the convenient message of gloom posting is not to do anything not to believe in doing anything and fob it off to the rich.
(I use Stripe Climate, it's great)