National Analysis

Stop the Finger-Pointing, Democrats. You’re in the Grip of Big Oil

NEWSWEEK 01/10/24 By Michael Shank With 2023 ranking as the hottest year on record and 2024 estimated to break last year’s record, one would expect the world’s biggest economies—like the United States, which is the world’s largest producer of oil and gas—to take climate change more seriously. Especially given the […]

5 Reasons Why Cities Should Create an Office of Urban Agriculture

FAST COMPANY 07/14/23 By Michael Shank and Kate Lee There’s a new movement cropping up in city governments across America. It’s apolitical enough that it can avoid the polarization that comes with other climate initiatives. And it’s easy to incorporate because it spans many aspects of city governance and life, […]

Climate Activism Can’t Leave Out the Built Environment — It Generates Half of Emissions

THE HILL 08/05/22 By Michael Shank With Indonesian islanders suing cement producers for climate damages recently, buildings are getting much-needed attention for their carbon-heavy footprint. The built environment generates nearly 50 percent of annual global emissions. Yet, buildings hardly receive the climate activism commensurate with their impact – despite concrete […]

Pinpoint Our Real Problem — Our ‘Suicidal War on Nature’

VTDIGGER 06/15/22 RUTLAND HERALD 06/18/22 TIMES ARGUS 06/18/22 By Michael Shank This commentary is by Michael Shank of Montpelier, director of engagement for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and an adjunct faculty member at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs and George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Shank recently […]

Yes, Prosecute Putin, but U.S. Is Culpable Too

VTDIGGER 03/24/22 RUTLAND HERALD 03/22/22 TIMES ARGUS 03/22/22 By Michael Shank This commentary is by Michael Shank, an adjunct professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs and George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. This article first ran in Newsweek. When President Joe Biden called Russian President […]

Let’s Lock in a Precedent to Prevent Future Wars

VTDIGGER 3/10/22 RUTLAND HERALD 03/08/22 TIMES ARGUS 03/08/22 By Michael Shank This commentary is by Dr. Michael Shank, a resident of Montpelier who is an adjunct professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs and George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. This article first ran in Newsweek. […]