Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies Publications Archive

Ask CFR Experts

What is the impact of the economic crisis on the climate change debate?

Asked by Soumaya Maghnouj, from Sciences-Po
Author: Daniel P. Ahn

The global economic crisis and the subsequent attention to economic and budgetary issues have monopolized the political debate. With the aftermath of the crisis still being felt, there is not much political will for policies that may create short-term economic pain for long-term benefits. These include policies to combat or adapt to climate change.

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Book The Power Surge

The Power Surge

Author: Michael A. Levi

A groundbreaking analysis of what the changes in American energy mean for the economy, national security, and the environment, authored by one of America's most prominent experts on energy's role in the world.

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Op-Ed

The False Promise of Energy Independence

Author: Michael A. Levi
New York Times

Michael A. Levi says, "The benefits of the oil and gas boom—jobs, wealth and, in the case of natural gas, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions—offer plenty of reasons to continue to develop these resources judiciously. But we should beware of turning this potential blessing into an unintended curse."

See more in United States, Energy

Article

The Surprising Sources of Oil’s Influence

Authors: Blake Clayton and Michael A. Levi
Survival

Drawing on lessons from a Council on Foreign Relations workshop in January 2012, Blake Clayton and Michael A. Levi examine the connection between global oil markets and international relations, saying that in many cases the oil trade is politically consequential simply because policymakers believe that it is.

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Op-Ed

Critics of Gas Should Be Realistic

Author: Michael A. Levi
Financial Times

Michael A. Levi says natural gas is a good and inexpensive alternative to coal and oil, but it's still a fossil fuel. Keeping in mind that gas is far from a permanent climate solution, delegates meeting in Doha for the UN climate change negotiations "should strengthen their efforts, individually and collectively, to promote innovation and development of cost-effective zero-carbon energy options."

See more in Climate Change, Energy, UN