Cold War with China represents 2 existential threats to human survival

The 2 existential threats to human survival are nuclear war and climate destruction. By ramping up its new Cold War against China, the U.S. increases both threats.  

 

The most ominous is nuclear war. Tho its 350 nukes pail to America’s 5,500, we can’t rule out their use by both sides if war breaks out. Last nite in his CNN Town Hall, President Biden reiterated his commitment to go to Taiwan’s defense if China attacks. He didn’t mention how this is required by America’s national security interests because there are none. Beginning with Trump and continuing with Biden, the U.S. has abandoned its ‘strategic ambiguity’ regarding Taiwan’s defense which made unclear whether we’d go to war over Taiwan. No more. Combined with America’s endless military provocations in China’s neighborhood, it’s no wonder the chances of war are rising.  

 

But simply avoiding nuclear winter is not enough. Unless the U.S. and China stop their schoolyard bluster and start cooperating, Mother Earth faces existential destruction from climate change. That’s because together, China and the U.S. product 42% of fossil fuel consumption. Even if all other 193 countries comply with carbon emission reduction guidelines, it will not be enough to offset that of the world’s two most gluttonous fossil fuel emitters.      

 

We must push back against the continuity in American governance that demands we compete rather than cooperate with China to win the battle of the 21^st century. Unless we do, it will be a pyrrhic victory, with the winner inheriting a world demolished by nuclear winter or uninhabitable summer.  

 

Think about that Mr. Biden the next time you beat the war drums, both economically and militarily, with China.