Mainstream economists like to talk about choosing between climate protection and consumption. They often produce studies showing that policy action is too expensive, while climate change itself is not too costly. But a well-functioning climate is the basis for producing goods and services, not an alternative to them. In part 2 of [ECO]NOMICS, Professor Juliet Shor introduces the political economy approach to climate change, as an alternative to the usual economics. This direction links action and inaction to economic and political interests. Who has interests in continuing to emit greenhouse gases, who is benefiting, and who is bearing the costs? Political economy turns the focus on the companies, countries and people who are disproportionately responsible and have a strong interest in the status quo. Prof. Schor shows how fossil fuel companies have spent vast amounts of money and effort in influencing public opinion and capturing politicians, to forestall government action on climate change. Solving the political economy problem requires new ways of thinking about transcending the interest-based politics that has led to climate inaction. Part 3 will be available May 11, 2022 Learn more at https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/videos/eco-nomics Credits: Juliet Schor, Matthew Kulvicki, Nick Alpha, Gonçalo Fonseca, Kurt Semm