Global Climate Change Treaty Delayed
Posted on November 18, 2009 by
Ever since I heard that many world leaders, including President Obama, were planning on crafting a global climate change treaty to be debuted in Copenhagen next month, I’ve been really interested to hear what that treaty would say. Getting 192 big players to agree on emissions restrictions and other regulations that would curb global warming is not an easy task.
Well, it turns out I’ll have to wait a little longer, because the decision has been put on hold.
The leaders will still meet in Copenhagen to discuss climate change, but have agreed to put the big issues on the back burner for awhile. According to a New York Times article, the leaders agreed to put off any legal or binding decisions because negotiations haven’t been progressing as quickly as hoped, and since the Copenhagen summit is scheduled in just over two weeks, it’s unlikely any big decisions could have been reached anyway.
This agreement, which would be designed to replace Kyoto, is especially difficult because of the disparity of wealth among the 192 countries represented. The United States faces a very different set of challenges when it comes to curbing emissions than a small Pacific island nation does. Arriving at a solution that is effective and doable for everyone involved will not be easy.
My opinion is that this treaty is important, so it’s better to take longer to craft a workable agreement rather than rush through something. However, I hope these leaders don’t take too long to come to an agreement, because when it comes to global warming, the clock has already been ticking for some time.
What’s your take on the delay of the global climate change treaty?
On the other hand, though, what if they had all agreed to one little change now and agreed to come back and work on the big stuff later. I think it’s kinda like a diet. It drives me crazy when people shove anything / everything in their mouths promising to start that new diet on January 1st. How about you make small changes every day starting immediately?
I realize it’s an economy of scale but maybe all the nations leaders could have just promise to put on a psa asking everyone to do their part to recycle or use less. It might have helped a little.
Maybe I am just jaded but I don’t see larger nations like the US ever doing what they need to do to help fight climate change. It didn’t happen with Kyoto and I doubt it will happen with this treaty.
What I think is important is that there be a set of standards for global companies. So they have to reduce emissions by the same amount in every country they operate in. It will stop them from moving their operations to the countries that have agreed to a smaller reduction.