US must lead in Copenhagen
There is a lot of attention in the media given to lots of important issues, but almost none to one of the most important days in our immediate future – the United Nations Climate Change Conference that will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, between Dec. 7 and Dec. 18.
The conference includes the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 5th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. A framework for climate change mitigation beyond 2012 is to be agreed upon there.
According to scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in order to stave off catastrophic change, endangering millions, there can be no more annual increase in global carbon emissions starting in 2015. If the meeting at Copenhagen fails to set sufficient goals, that target will be nearly impossible.
Major nations are looking to the United States for leadership. The European Union, China, India, Japan, Brazil and Indonesia have said publicly that they will drastically cut carbon dioxide emissions if the United States does. The United States makes up 5 percent of the world’s population but emits close to 30 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide.
Since the success of these negotiations depends so strongly on the actions of the U.S., there are two things hard to comprehend: Why the media is paying virtually no attention to the issue, and why the Republicans in the Senate actually boycotted a committee conference, stalling even though they say they are not stalling, for reasons that are specious, at best.
They say they need numbers from the EPA, when there is already an abundance of data from both the U.S. and elsewhere, plenty to support the bill.
This is not a partisan issue. Even Sen. John McCain says that, whether you believe it or not, shouldn’t we do something about it, in case it is true? California Gov. Arnold Schwarzennegger says that, if 98 doctors say there is something wrong with my child, and two don’t, which would I believe? Don’t we worry about future generations?
Justification for action on climate change extend beyond saving our planet and future – it just makes business sense. According to the Renewable Energy Policy Project, solar energy PV projects will produce 22.4 jobs per megawatt of electricity, wind 6.4, solar thermal more than 5.9, and geothermal 10.5.
We have the technology and the resources, we just need the political will to jump-start our economy, create thousands of new jobs in clean energy production and phase out the dirty sources of energy like coal that stall international progress. The American people are beginning to demand it.
In order to send a clear message to the world that we will not repeat our ignorant, “go-it-alone” stance at Kyoto, we need to pass strong legislation.
Further, it is incumbent upon our nation to act as leaders in carbon dioxide reduction, to ensure that a bold, but fair and binding climate treaty that prevents climate catastrophe, is agreed upon.
It is also extremely important that President Obama attend the conference in Copenhagen. His presence would ensure that the world realizes our comitment on the issue.
The conference in Copenhagen needs media space every day – in the paper, on TV and on the radio, so the entire public can comprehend what is at stake and demand action on the climate crisis.
The urgency has never been greater.
Janet Renaud is a resident of Greenfield.
