The US and China must unite to fight the climate crisis, not each other

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Guardian or enjoy below

🗞️ Driving the news: Climate change is an international crisis, with leading nations like the U.S. and China central to the solution
• However, political disputes might hinder the collaborative efforts required to counter this existential threat

🔭 The context: The last eight years have witnessed record-breaking temperatures, with severe environmental ramifications across the globe, from wildfires in Canada and the U.S. to floods in China and heatwaves from Asia to North Africa

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: Despite progress in transitioning to renewable energy sources, current global efforts are insufficient
• Notably, the U.S. and China have been leading carbon emitters, and their ongoing competition threatens cooperative measures against climate change

⏭️ What's next: The article proposes that, instead of competing, the U.S. and China should jointly reduce their military budgets and invest the savings into renewable energy and sustainability
• This collaboration could not only combat climate change but also provide aid to countries that are suffering due to the climate crisis

💬 One quote: "It always seems impossible until it’s done” (Nelson Mandela)

📈 One stat: Over the past years, the U.S. and China have increased their military budgets to nearly $1.2 trillion combined 
• Yet, they're losing against climate crises that have cost hundreds of billions in damages

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