[Verse 1]
Who knows
When you’re caught up in the throws
How it goes
Rapidly riding on the rapids
Wonder how quid pro quo did
Did the problem rid?
(Or was it hid)
[Bridge]
If things weren’t already frightening
Here comes the thunder and lightning
[Chorus]
Instability in the atmosphere
I fear it’s everywhere
The increased intensity is clear
Look there, there, and there
[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]
[Verse 2]
Who knows
When you’re caught up in the gears
With dues in arrears
Rapidly riding on the rapids
Wonder how quid pro quo did
Did the problem rid?
(Or the bid hid)
[Bridge]
If things weren’t already frightening
Here comes the thunder and lightning
[Chorus]
Instability in the atmosphere
I fear it’s everywhere
The increased intensity is clear
Look there, there, and there
[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Drum Fills]
[Bridge]
A little more cash (stash)
For a lot more trash (fast)
Voters thrashed (trashed)
Truth trashed (thrashed)
Carbon bribe (cried)
Devil’s bride (died)
If things weren’t already frightening
Here comes the thunder and lightning
[Chorus]
Instability in the atmosphere
I fear it’s everywhere
The increased intensity is clear
Look there, there, and there
[Outro]
Aware? There, there, there!
A SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS NOTE
“Quid pro quo,” a Latin term meaning “something for something,” refers to a mutual exchange where one party provides something in return for something else from another party. In the context of governments’ climate policy, quid pro quo can manifest in several ways:
Policy and Legislation
Within a country, lawmakers might support climate-related legislation in exchange for concessions in other policy areas. This can involve political bargaining where support for green initiatives is traded for support on unrelated legislation or local projects.
Political Support and Lobbying
Governments might craft climate policies that favor certain industries or sectors in exchange for political support, campaign contributions, or other forms of influence. This can lead to policies that are beneficial to particular stakeholders but may not always align with the most effective or equitable climate strategies.
Such arrangements can lead to compromises that dilute the effectiveness of climate action or create inequalities in how the burdens and benefits of climate policies are distributed. Political quid pro quo usually lands us in rough waters, up the river, and without a paddle.