A World of Threats

{
  "authors": [
    "Jessica Tuchman Mathews"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "SCP",
  "programs": [
    "Sustainability, Climate, and Geopolitics"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Climate Change",
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

A World of Threats

Climate change is one of the most pressing threats the next president will face. While the current debate focuses on alternatives to oil, the next administration must recognize that the key priority is demand management.

By Jessica Tuchman Mathews

Published on Sep 4, 2008

Source: Minnesota Public Radio

The next president must confront nuclear proliferation and climate change immediately, argued Jessica Mathews during a forum hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations on the foreign policy challenges facing the next president. Energy issues in particular must be a priority, and reducing American demand for energy "is the precondition for doing something serious about climate change."

Tackling climate change will require an immense expenditure of political capital, given that the current debate focuses on alternatives fuels, while the only viable long-term solution is demand management. "Nothing will work to replace fossil fuels as long as our energy needs remain on the demand curve that they currently are on…and I don’t see a readiness to confront that curve," Mathews said.

Other forum participants were Madeline Albright, Richard Haass, Richard Holbrooke, and Vin Weber. Tom Brokaw moderated the discussion.

Click here to listen.

About the Author

Jessica Tuchman Mathews

Distinguished Fellow

Mathews is a distinguished fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She served as Carnegie’s president for 18 years.

Recent Work

In The Media
Washington Already Knows How to Deal with North Korea
- Jessica Tuchman Mathews
Commentary
Trump Wins—and Now?
- Jessica Tuchman Mathews

Climate Change Foreign Policy North America United States

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Commentary
Diwan
An American Muslim Exception?
In an interview, Rozina Ali discusses her new book on the rise and manifestations of Islamophobia in the United States.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
The Israel Lobby, U.S. Foreign Policy, and Domestic Liberties
In an interview, Ian Lustick and Eli Clifton discuss their new book on why a prominent ally has so much influence in America.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
Three Ruptures and the End of Pax Americana in the Middle East
As the U.S. stumbles in its war with Iran, we are likely to see an acceleration of its disengagement from the region.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
Less of America is More
Middle Eastern states should welcome an accelerated U.S. disengagement from their region.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
A Strategic Disaster that Devalues U.S. Military Prowess
In an interview, former ambassador Charles Freeman assesses the Trump administration’s war against Iran.
Michael Young

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center