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Trump shows no concern for the planet. The world is suffering because of it. Trump shows no concern for the planet. The world is suffering because of it.
(about 5 hours later)
THINK BACK only four years. A U.S. president was committed to American global leadership and honesty about climate change. At a conference center in Paris, after decades of frustrated hopes, world governments committed themselves to cut the greenhouse-gas emissions that imperil human civilization — together.THINK BACK only four years. A U.S. president was committed to American global leadership and honesty about climate change. At a conference center in Paris, after decades of frustrated hopes, world governments committed themselves to cut the greenhouse-gas emissions that imperil human civilization — together.
Now look at what just happened in Madrid. With U.S. representatives not only refusing to lead but actually pushing in the wrong direction, the wheels are coming off the Paris accord.Now look at what just happened in Madrid. With U.S. representatives not only refusing to lead but actually pushing in the wrong direction, the wheels are coming off the Paris accord.
The Madrid conference that wrapped up Sunday, another in a series of United Nations-sponsored climate talks, was meant to prepare countries to enhance next year the initial emissions-cutting commitments they made under the Paris agreement. This is a crucial time for the Paris system, which was designed to encourage countries to not only commit to emissions reductions once, but also regularly meet and commit to more. Much like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade that so successfully encouraged 20th century global economic integration, the Paris process was supposed to create an international expectation that, every five years or so, major economies would come back to the table and agree to do better. The Madrid conference that wrapped up Sunday, another in a series of United Nations-sponsored climate talks, was meant to prepare countries to enhance next year the initial emissions-cutting commitments they made under the Paris agreement. This is a crucial time for the Paris system, which was designed to encourage countries to not only commit to emissions reductions once but also to regularly meet and commit to more. Much like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade that so successfully encouraged 20th-century global economic integration, the Paris process was supposed to create an international expectation that, every five years or so, major economies would come back to the table and agree to do better.
Instead, the United States, China and India opposed a call for countries to submit strong, updated emissions commitments next year. Australia and Brazil also undermined the conference as they pressed for loopholes that would help them avoid real emissions cuts. The conference ended with key questions about the Paris system unresolved. The prospect for a substantial improvement next year seems unlikely. Only 80 countries accounting for a tenth of global emissions have so far announced more ambitious emissions commitments. The European Union is preparing a major move, but absent U.S. action, China might be unwilling to commit to any more than it already has. Instead, the United States, China and India opposed a call for countries to submit strong, updated emissions commitments next year. Australia and Brazil also undermined the conference as they pressed for loopholes that would help them avoid real emissions cuts. The conference ended with key questions about the Paris system unresolved. The prospect for a substantial improvement next year seems unlikely. Only 80 countries accounting for one-tenth of global emissions have so far announced more ambitious emissions commitments. The European Union is preparing a major move, but absent U.S. action, China might be unwilling to commit to any more than it already has.
President Trump’s abdication is not the only factor. Brazil elected a conservative populist outsider after a massive public corruption scandal discredited its mainstream politicians. Australia’s climate politics have always been fraught, given how much its economy relies on resource extraction. China is struggling to maintain the breakneck economic growth with which its authoritarian rulers justify their oppression.President Trump’s abdication is not the only factor. Brazil elected a conservative populist outsider after a massive public corruption scandal discredited its mainstream politicians. Australia’s climate politics have always been fraught, given how much its economy relies on resource extraction. China is struggling to maintain the breakneck economic growth with which its authoritarian rulers justify their oppression.
But various nations faced plenty of confounding problems in 2015, too. What has changed is that the United States no longer cares to lead the world on pressing issues. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on major emissions commitments leading into Paris, paving the way for the broader international pact. Mr. Trump shows no concern for the future of the planet. But various nations faced plenty of confounding problems in 2015, too. What has changed is that the United States
no longer cares to lead the world on pressing issues. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on major emissions commitments leading into Paris, paving the way for the broader international pact. Mr. Trump shows no concern for the future of the planet.
Read more:Read more:
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The Post’s View: World leaders are failing our future generations on climate changeThe Post’s View: World leaders are failing our future generations on climate change
The Post’s View: There’s an effective and progressive solution for climate change. Why won’t Democrats embrace it?The Post’s View: There’s an effective and progressive solution for climate change. Why won’t Democrats embrace it?
Robert Gebelhoff: The administration’s climate denialism is getting more and more dangerousRobert Gebelhoff: The administration’s climate denialism is getting more and more dangerous
Eugene Robinson: We’re losing our climate battle. We have no one but ourselves to blame.Eugene Robinson: We’re losing our climate battle. We have no one but ourselves to blame.