Bill McKibben: The Big Climate Deal: What It Is, and What It Isn't

[eridani]

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/26920-focus-the-big-climate-deal-what-it-is-and-what-it-isnt

1) It is historic. John Kerry was right to use the phrase in his New York Times oped announcing the deal: for the first time a developing nation has agreed to eventually limit its emissions, which has become a necessity for advancing international climate negotiations.

2) It isn't binding in any way. In effect President Obama is writing an IOU to be cashed by future presidents and Congresses (and Xi is doing the same for future Politburos). If they take the actions to meet the targets, then it's meaningful, but for now it's a paper promise. And since physics is uninterested in spin, all the hard work lies ahead.

<snip>

9) It is -- and this is the real key -- a reminder that movements work. President Obama first endorsed the 80 percent by 2050 goal he enshrined in this pact when he was running for president in 2007, a week after 1,400 demonstrations around the nation demanded that goal. This comes seven weeks after by far the largest global climate demonstrations in history, and amidst ongoing unrest in China about the filthy air in its cities.

10) It isn't, in other words, a reason to slack off a bit in the ongoing fight for a livable climate, a fight our civilizations are in great danger of losing. If we want this to be a start, and not a finish, we've got to build even bigger and more powerful movements that push the successors of these gentlemen to meet what science demands. Today's an achievement for everyone who's held a banner, signed a petition, and gone to jail -- and a call for many more to join us going forward!

[KG]

1. 'It isn't binding in any way'

in other words, it's just kabuki theater.

[jamesatemple]

3. True!

But I think the point is that it beats no theater at all.

[Fred Sanders]

5. Did you even read the article before coming up with the totally opposite and wrong leap to judgment?

I support the President and I support the conclusion of my President's climate change experts and his own political judgment, you do not I gather.

[truebrit71]

6. I read it. It's all bullshit. Nothing in writing. Nothing binding.

And most importantly, China, the #1 polluter, has another SIXTEEN YEARS to keep polluting before adhering to this completely non-binding agreement...

It is re-arranging deckchairs on the Titanic....(See point #4)

[jtuck004]

2. Interesting graphic of carbon output

...
President Obama pledged to cut US carbon emissions by 26-28% of 2005 levels by 2025
China agreed to cap its emissions by 2030 (earlier if possible, but no guarantees)
China will expand zero-emission sources to 20% by 2030.
...

Here.



That site seems to see everything through one set of blinders - imagine that - but the data is often useful.

[Fred Sanders]

4. Per capita America is 3 times that of China, 15 times that of India, it is the per capita that is

also important to contain.

Your link is to a an anti-climate change, pro carbon site by the way.

[jtuck004]

7. "...is the per capita hat is also important..." < I see, the most important thing is the spin.

Some things never change.

[OKIsItJustMe]

8. India and China are catching up, but we’re still in the lead

[Fred Sanders]

9. America has agreed to stabilize and reduce, China to put on the brakes, and both held at

lower levels, it is realistic, and it is finally a clear goal, that is the milestone of this agreement, the naysayers will always be naysayers.

Thank you for the chart, the President Obama bashers are making me sick with their pessimism.