As the climate change conference in Copenhagen approaches (Dec. 7, 2009) many countries are increasing their involvement in a post-Kyoto climate plan, which many reports argue are to be agreed on at this pivotal conference. The Kyoto protocol, which was ratified in 1997 by almost all industrialized nations except the US is set to expire in 2012. For many years under the Bush administration, the US has been pointing fingers at other countries mainly China and India for not taking on larger greenhouse gas emission cuts. Both countries have over one billion people; that number multiplied by their gas emissions, it is obvious that their emissions are likely to be enormous. But still, according to Adil Najam, a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an average American emits nearly 10 times as much carbon as the average Chinese and over 20 times as much as the average Indian. Even with the a new development of a post-Kyoto climate plan to reduce climate change called, the Bali Roadmap Agreement, the US was still holding back on committing to any sort of plan. This is an important decision that will affect everyone on planet earth. Technological optimism can only go so far, and with devastating effects already starting to be seen in parts around the world caused by climate change, governments should not depend solely on technology to get us through this global issue.
In my opinion, the time has come to stop pointing fingers, and adopt a global plan to combat the growing problem that is climate change. With the change in administration, Obama’s chief climate negotiator said the US will be rigorously involved in the formation of a new plan, which seems promising but real results will determine the credibility behind this statement. It is necessary for many post-Kyoto plans to have the involvement of both major industrialized nations including the US and developing nations as well. For that matter, it is imperative for the US to adopt and implement a plan, which is set to be decided in Copenhagen this December. In a finding by the IPCC, if left unchecked, the world’s average temperature could rise by as much as 6 degrees centigrade by the end of the century. Countries like Japan, and China and even the EU, have already drafted plans for a post-Kyoto world. All roads lead to Copenhagen for a brighter future for all.
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The United States clearly needs to sign on to some kind of global climate change initiative. We are too big of a world leader to put the blame on China and India and not take any action ourselves... What exactly though, would it take for the US to ratify such a treaty? Can Obama get this done himself, or will the never ending turmoil in congress as well as the heavy attention to healthcare at the moment, make it highly unlikely for the US to get on board such a program?
ReplyDeleteThis conference is extremely important to the future of sustainability and climate change. The United States emitted 16.3% more greenhouse gas in 2005 than it did in 1990. The largest national producer of CO2 emissions since 2006 has been China with an estimated annual production of about 6200 megatonnes. China is followed by the United States with about 5,800 megatonnes. As to two leading emitted of GHG it is extremely important for the US and China to be the leaders in reduction strategies, through implementation of alternative energies and green jobs. Additionally, I would like to add the fact that it is extremely inspiring to see students, including out classmate Lyndsay McKeever, go to the Copenhagen conference to tell officials that our generation demands and needs change. These issues are what face our generations and since we are to young to maintain authoritative positions our voice needs to be heard!
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