NOV 16

As reports have indicated for the past several weeks, a binding agreement won't be reached in Copenhagen this December.  Leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation this past weekend met and decided that the Copenhagen conference would be used to come up with an interim "politically" binding agreement and to set a date and time for a legally binding one sometime next year.

The goal of cutting global emissions by 50 percent by 2050 has been scrapped and instead a 2007 goal of reducing energy intensity - emissions per unit of economic output - by 25 percent by 2030 is being restated, but again, it won't be binding.

A big reason for the push back is Congress's inaction on a climate change bill this year.  Without a clear commitment from the U.S. to cut emissions, other countries are hesitant to make any pledges of their own.  In the past few days, members of Congress have said a decision on a climate bill won't happen before the first half of 2010.

For those of us who were keeping our hopes up for a significant agreement to come out of Copenhagen and for a climate bill this year, this news is incredibly disappointing.  One positive thing to hold onto is that the administration seems determined to make some progress even while Congress falters, most notably with the EPA gearing up to regulate greenhouse emissions starting in 2011.

via NY Times

Image via APEC Singapore 2009

Comments (12)

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written by John at Cell Phone Recycling, November 17, 2009

Indeed a very disappointing news. Let's just hope that the administration will pursue this program.

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written by ugg boots sale, November 17, 2009

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To say I was shocked would be surpriseing
written by VeruTEK Green Technologies, November 17, 2009

Congress seems to always be slow to react when it comes to issues like these. Then again it is to no surprise either that there isn't any agreement on the table.

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Global Action needs to pressue US
written by Noan Fesnoux, November 17, 2009

The US is taking their position as Superpower to heart. Saying that since the US will not do it, other countries won't is also a bit of a way of wiggling out of it without looking bad. A serious global initiative would make legally binding targets with economic sanctions against countries that do not agree to the terms. That way, there would a reason for Congress to get a move on!

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Action on Climate Change Delayed:
written by Climatarians, November 18, 2009

It is indeed disappointing when the government drags its foot and delays decisions. Every single country faces this problem in one form or another. Let us hope that people in power move things faster so that a decisive decision can be taken on these important matters. At Climatarians, our global sustainability directory, we bring people together who are interested in environmental issues.

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Canada's cowardly claim
written by sheleftmalfoy, November 18, 2009

I am ashamed to say that Canada ia also using the "if other countries don't do it there's no point for us to do it" claim. I had to sit through a speach by Tony Clement, minister of industry, talk about how Canada needs to be and can benefit from being a "leader" but will only sign on if China and India do also. I think that Canada and the US need to act now in order to not become even farther behind, let alone "ahead". We have the highest per capita GHG emissions and our technology is so inefficient, it can't compete with Japanese cars or European products.

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written by Jamie Spitzer, November 19, 2009

It is important we not focus on our frustration, but what we can do. The government may not be ready to commit to change, but we are, so let us start there instead of bemoaning their hesitance.

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The meeting is not going to achieve anything
written by Gekkor, November 20, 2009

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. That silly meeting in Copenhagen is going to achieve nothing. Whatever agreements are made there are going to be only political grandstanding.

If manmade global warming is really underway, there is no way that we can now do anything about it except to declare war on our enemies.

Obama still has a window of opportunity to invade China now before China pollutes the entire planet. It would be cheaper to invade China than to spend countless more trillions of dollars supporting the broken domestic economy. After China is soundly defeated and depopulated the land itself can be used as a carbon sink by way of planting billions of trees.

This is the only scientific solution to the problem of global warming.

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Are we really surprised?
written by Fr. Peter, November 20, 2009

Let’s face facts; the government of any major power that decides to implement real and effective environmental emissions controls is scared that it will soon be out of office.

Either it will take a great deal of courage for the major powers to act, or it will take a national environmental disaster that will wake the masses of that nation up to the environmental danger that is actually looking them in the eyes.

Any bets on what will come first???

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