| Energy Realism this past week focused on two pillars of the energy and environment debate: California and China. California’s energy and environmental policies continue to be presented as a “model” for other states—against all evidence. David Kreutzer explains why real options for reducing the intensity and frequency of wildfires continue to be ignored. Over the last several decades, while one party has dominated California’s politics, the state’s forests have become a ticking time bomb – and this summer, the counter hit zero. Pushing back on the common misperception that the wildfires are the result of climate change, Steve Milloy exposes the inconvenient truth: politicians have allowed California to be burned to a crisp instead of practicing sensible forest management. Many policymakers in other states are still pursuing California’s impractical renewable-energy path. Jonathan Lesser demands a reality check for political leaders along the Atlantic Coast who mandate huge amounts of offshore wind capacity—a choice bound to bring less reliability, higher costs, and reduced economic growth. RealClear Foundation senior fellow Rupert Darwall identifies another elephant in the room: China as a supposedly “trustworthy partner” on climate change. Simply put, the winner of the presidential election in November has two choices: take Beijing at its word and pursue the illusion of a cooperative China or stand firm against Chinese expansionism. Realism concludes the week by highlighting a must-read on the hypocrisy of “responsible ESG investors” and their “China blindspot.” This rapidly growing list includes the National Basketball Association, Nike, Apple, Blackrock, and other self-proclaimed “social justice warriors.” In the News Gautam Kalghatgi, National Review Nicole Darrah, The Sun Leslie P. Norton, Barron's Next Megan Rowling, Reuters Staff, Bloomberg Editorial, Toronto Sun Dave Nadig, ETF Trends Christine MacDonald, Nation of Change Ross Kerber, Reuters John Sullivan, 401K Specialist Taylor Nicole Rogers, Business Insider Catherine Boudreau, Politico Peter Goodman, The New York Times Shirley Leung, Boston Globe Jennifer Hijazi, E&E News CNN CNN's Nima Elbagir and her team uncovered horrifying evidence of children - some just 9 years old - working in Cobalt mines in Congo. Goldman Sachs “Exchanges at Goldman Sachs” Podcast – Integrating ESG – environmental, social and governance – into asset managers’ portfolios is becoming a “business imperative,” says Richard Manl... | 
