Climate Change

[On COVID-19 and climate change] Huge things can happen quickly when the mindset changes. Who would have imagined that in short order whole countries . . . could shut down in order to deal with the virus? . . . So that, when you hear in another context like climate change that big steps that need to be taken, whether it has to do with the longevity of the internal combustion engine or the need to phase out fossils... No, big things can happen, if the mindset changes.

[On parallels between COVID-19 and climate change] Planning and preparation are vital, and delay kills.

[On coronavirus and the importance of science in informing public policymaking] A potent lesson for those who need it, and there are many who need it... is that facts and science are real and that they matter. Here in the United States that is a lesson we need... you can't dismiss science.

[On coronavirus's effects on international cooperation] What's happening is that all countries have turned inward. The political support in most countries for extensive international engagement has been fraying. That's been going on for a long time, because of the nature of international cooperation and the fact that it's not delivered benefits back to populations widely.

[On the postponement of COP 26 and 2020 timeline for countries to submit new targets under the Paris Agreement] I don't think that a crises-induced postponement is the thing to worry about. I worry about the development of political will at the highest levels in countries all over the world.

[On COVID-19 and recovery efforts and climate change] I think that the critical thing with respect to stimulus packages is that we not put money into any activities that lock in high-carbon production or high-carbon public goods.