u/brianscalabrainey

Ezra lamented on the latest Abundance episode that we had all but abandoned climate goals as part of the Democratic platform. Meanwhile, Amsterdam has just passed this fascinating act of public policy: banning ads for fossil fuels and meat.

Given Ezra frequently touches on both climate topics and veganism, and given his conversations recently about how liberalism has eschewed attempts to impose any moral authority beyond the logic of the free market, I thought this article was relevant. It's a provocative and bold example of how an active government can advance pro-social policy goals while also taking a clear moral stance that shapes local commerce and consumption.

>"a Dutch travel trade association and several travel agencies sued, arguing that the ban was an overreach that violated freedom of expression rules and European Union consumer law. But the judge sided with the city, ruling that the health of its citizens and the climate was more important than commercial interests."

What would it take to build political momentum for something like this in the US? Can we think about this more broadly, beyond climate, and ban gambling ads I see everywhere?