This week marks 10 years since nations signed the Paris Climate Accords. The landmark global agreement called on signatories to reduce their carbon emissions — and for wealthier polluters to help poorer countries less responsible for warming to adjust and transition their own economies.
Unfortunately, writes Alliyah Lusuegro this week, our leaders are instead cutting renewable energy programs, doing nothing to help poorer countries, and plowing $1 trillion into the Pentagon — the most carbon-intensive institution on the planet.
“Ten years after the Paris Agreement, the choice is clear: We can continue down a path of fossil fuels and endless wars, or we can invest in climate solutions that actually keep people safe,” Alliyah argues. “The clock is ticking.”
Of course, it might take a while to get the U.S. government back on track. In the mean time, Brian Rodgers suggests one little lifestyle fix that could have a huge impact if more consumers get on board: sustainable toilet paper. The Trump administration may not save our forests, he says, but consumers can — “one roll at a time.” Also this week, Jordan Liz explains why ICE keeps picking weird internet fights with pop stars — and why pop stars shouldn’t back down.
This will be our last newsletter of new op-eds of 2025. If we have new content between now and our first January newsletter, we’ll post it on the site — otherwise we’ll try to get a best-of package in the pipeline. And look out for our annual editor survey in the coming weeks!
Happy holidays from all of us at OtherWords and IPS, and best wishes for the new year. We’ll see you then.
New This Week…
The Clock Is Ticking: Invest in the Planet, Not the Pentagon | Alliyah Lusuegro
At the 10 year anniversary of the Paris Agreement, U.S. climate commitments are being swallowed up by military spending.
Save Our Forests, One Roll at a Time | Brian Rodgers
Want an easy New Year’s resolution? Replace some of your conventional toilet paper with rolls made from recycled paper.
Pop Stars: Keep Denouncing ICE! | Jordan Liz
The Trump administration is picking fights with celebrities opposed to ICE on purpose. It’s still better to speak out.
In Case You Missed It…
The Public Pays the Price for Big Tech’s Data Centers | Michi Trota
The relentless push for data centers is raising our power bills and polluting our communities. It doesn’t have to be this way.
How To Have a Plastic-Free Holiday Season | Sonali Kolhatkar
Our world is awash in plastic and Americans are sick of it. Fortunately, you can have a plastic-free — or plastic-light — holiday season.
Birthright Citizenship Is in the Constitution Plain As Day | Mitchell Zimmerman
It’s intolerable that the Supreme Court should consider reopening an issue it took a Civil War to resolve.
Congress Cut Medicaid. It Could Devastate Rural Hospital Staffing. | Michael Chameides
Federal cuts to health care means health centers will have less funding — and less staffing — while trying to serve more uninsured patients.
ICE Prisons Are Growing Deadlier | Farrah Hassen
Deaths in ICE facilities have reached their highest point in decades as the agency continues to abuse detainees and resist oversight. s
