By Rona Fried
After two years of negotiations leading up to the Copenhagen finale, few of us are waiting with baited breath for the outcome.
Maybe it's too much to ask for hundreds of countries to successfully negotiate complex issues - even with such high stakes, the challenge is just too great.
If we add up all the commitments made at Copenhagen, the sum total is about half of what's necessary to stave off climate change. This graph from the Climate Action Tracker shows that countries' reduction proposals leave us with a temperature increase of 3.9°C, equivalent to 770 ppm of carbon dioxide (CO2). Science tells us catastrophic climate change will occur if we exceed 1.5°C - 350 ppm of CO2.
Unfortunately, the US continues to hold the world back. Under President Obama's leadership, we're finally moving ahead with serious commitments to energy efficiency, green manufacturing and renewable energy. But our specific GHG emission reduction targets are pathetic - and an embarrassment.
As the world's leading polluter for the past century (and the creator of climate change), the US should take a strong leadership position on emission cuts - 40% by 2020, not a measly 3% by 2020 below 1990 levels. How can we even say it with a straight face? How can we continue to tell other countries to do their share when we refuse to do ours? Because US politics is so divided these days and Congress is so grid-locked, it will be a miracle if we can reach even a 3% commitment in the Climate Change Bill - the next huge legislative battle looming in 2010.
Does it Matter?
Of course it matters, but there's a chance it could become a moot point. More than enough studies show that 30-40% emission cuts will naturally flow from nationwide energy efficiency upgrades, greener buildings and ramping up renewable energy sources. The US is getting on course to make serious progress in these areas thanks to the Obama Administration - regardless of whether Congress agrees to significant emission cuts, they will happen anyway! Actions speak louder than words - although our words are still too soft on this subject, our actions are getting louder.
And, as we all know, once industries hit critical mass, momentum carries them forward. The foundation is finally being laid - millions of homes and businesses are getting a tune-up and solar and wind plants are rising across the US. Significant funds are flowing in to green tech R&D, the smart grid is in motion, solar prices are dropping dramatically. Once these technologies are entrenched in our economy, it will be too late for status quo-defenders to once again turn back the clock.
But perhaps we should shift the dialog from the negative focus of who will reduce emissions by how much - which leads to never ending bickering - to how we can elevate civilization on Planet Earth to one that we all want to be a part of? Rather than competing for who should reduce emissions the most, why don't we compete on who can scale up the fastest on delivering a sustainable economy for all?
