David Wallace-Wells: The U.S. Is Handing the Baton to China

In this episode of The Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller interviews David Wallace-Wells, a science writer and essayist for The New York Times, about climate change and related issues. They begin by discussing the Texas floods and the muted reaction to climate disasters in general, comparing it to past events like Hurricane Katrina. Wallace-Wells emphasizes the lack of preparation for increasingly intense climate events and the failure of local officials to address known risks. The conversation shifts to global climate action, with Wallace-Wells noting a decline in global cooperation and the U.S.'s retreat in favor of China's growing role in renewable energy. They also discuss the potential for AI to aid in climate solutions, the dominance of China in green tech, and the political challenges of addressing climate change domestically. The episode concludes with a discussion on Jeffrey Epstein, focusing on the scandal of powerful people associating with a known sex offender and the elite impunity surrounding the case.