The structure of the climate debate

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the complex, polarized climate debate, highlighting how political, bureaucratic, and activist influences shape climate policy, and suggests that recent shifts towards national governance may foster more rational discussions.

Contribution

It offers a conceptual analysis of the climate debate's structure, emphasizing the impact of political and social factors, and discusses how recent policy shifts could improve discourse.

Findings

Climate debate is highly polarized and convoluted.

Recent policy shifts may lead to more rational climate discussions.

Various actors influence climate policy and debate dynamics.

Abstract

First-best climate policy is a uniform carbon tax which gradually rises over time. Civil servants have complicated climate policy to expand bureaucracies, politicians to create rents. Environmentalists have exaggerated climate change to gain influence, other activists have joined the climate bandwagon. Opponents to climate policy have attacked the weaknesses in climate research. The climate debate is convoluted and polarized as a result, and climate policy complex. Climate policy should become easier and more rational as the Paris Agreement has shifted climate policy back towards national governments. Changing political priorities, austerity, and a maturing bureaucracy should lead to a more constructive climate debate.