Jude S. Ngu'Ewodo's Climate Crisis Unmasked Blog

  By Someone who’s watched the trade war from both sides of the checkout line. I made a joke last week: “God, take one of my eyes.” It was dark, sarcastic, and—as promised—I'll now explain what that quip has to do with the dumbfounding stupidity and pointed cruelty of Donald Trump’s trade tariffs. Let’s begin with the stupidity. According to the gospel of Trump, the United States—home to Apple, Microsoft, McDonald's, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe—is being ripped off by the rest of the world. Victimized. Taken for fools. You can picture the imagined scene: solemn Chinese, crafty Europeans, snickering behind their espresso cups while the poor, naïve U.S. sits wide-eyed at the global poker table, being cleaned out. Except, of course, that's not the world we live in. Not even close. The reality? The U.S. is winning the global economic game—by a landslide. Not in steel. Not in sedans. But in the stuff that actually powers the modern world: ideas, services, software, e...

  There’s an old joke from Tel Aviv that reveals something deep about politics and economics today - A devout man, a true believer, was growing frustrated. Every day, he prayed, obeyed God's commandments, and remained faithful. Yet, his pagan neighbor—who cared nothing for God—was thriving: a new house, wealth, success. One evening, the believer fell to his knees and cried out: "God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, God of Moses! Why don’t you love me? I serve you with all my heart, yet my godless neighbor has everything, and I have nothing!" God answered, "My faithful servant, I hear you. I will grant you one wish—but whatever you ask for, your neighbor will receive twice as much. Choose wisely." The man thought deeply. "Lord, let me reflect. I shall return before the Sabbath begins." Just before sundown, he rushed back to God. "God of my ancestors, I thank you for your generosity, and…" God interrupted, "The Sabbath is near, spea...

Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on imported cars is a textbook case of a potential good market failure: a policy designed to boost American industry that will, instead, accelerate the climate crisis worldwide. How a Car Tariff Heats the Planet A 25% tariff on imported vehicles and parts might sound like just another chapter in Trump’s economic nationalism. But cars are no ordinary product: they are the second-largest source of CO₂ emissions worldwide , responsible for nearly 20% of all transportation-related emissions . Anything that slows down the transition from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles (EVs) means more emissions, more pollution, and more climate damage. Here’s how it happens: 1. Making EVs More Expensive A # Tesla Model 3 relies on a global supply chain, including batteries from China and parts from Europe. A 25% tariff adds thousands to the sticker price. The # Volkswagen ID.4 , #BMW i4, and #Hyundai Ioniq—some of the most affordable EVs in America—would be hit hard, mak...