Obama's Copenhagen delusions?
As Denmark's climate talks begin, some say Obama's making promises about U.S. emission-cuts that he knows he can't keep
All sides of the fiery global warming debate agree on one thing: this week's Copenhagen summit won't meet its goals. (See a guide to conference's warring factions). Hoping to spur the summit to some agreement, President Obama is offering to cut U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions by roughly 17 percent by 2030, and 83 percent by 2050. Is that doable or just plain delusional? (Watch a report about hopes for the Copenhagen summit)
Obama's goal is preposterous: Barack Obama understands the "histrionics" required in climate change debates, says George Will in The Washington Post. His promise to cut emissions by 83 percent before 2050 would take the U.S. back to 1910 levels, "when there were 92 million Americans. But there will be 420 million Americans in 2050, so Obama's promise [actually] means that per capita emissions then will [have to be] what they were in 1875. That. Will. Not. Happen."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Besides, Congress won't pass such legislation: Though Obama is clearly trying to satisfy the European demand for targets, says RedOrbit, he knows that "the realization of these benchmark figures are entirely contingent on approval by Congress." (A similar bill is stuck in the Senate.) Obama’s chief climate policy adviser, Carol Browner, "has already conceded that the President’s proposed curbs 'will inevitably have to be readjusted.'" Obama is taking a great political risk here.
"Obama Likely To Struggle With Climate Change Promises"
The goals are reachable, if Obama's gamble works: By declaring an ambitious American target, says Senator John Kerry, as quoted in the New York Times, “the president has...[laid] the groundwork for a broad political consensus at Copenhagen that will strip climate obstructionists here at home of their most persistent charge, that the United States shouldn’t act if other countries won’t join with us.”
"Obama to Go to Copenhagen With Emissions Target"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Obama's fantasies are exactly what Copenhagen needs: Obama's projections are part of an "attitude that says that climate protection promises are always good," says the conservative newspaper Die Welt, as quoted in Spiegel. "The lower the reduction goals are —50, 80, 90, why not 100 percent! — the better the climate protection promises are. Whether this is realistic is of only secondary importance. And today, let's not spoil the mood..."
"A Small Sign of Hope' from Obama"
Lies are the last thing Copenhagen needs: The world doesn't need another show of politicians expressing rhetorical commitments to climate protection, says the left-leaning newpaper Die Tageszeitung, also quoted in Spiegel, "It needs concrete efforts. Over the next two weeks, we will learn whether politicians have understood the difference between the two. And it's something whose effects we'll be able to feel in the decades to come."
"A Small Sign of Hope' from Obama"
.....................................................
SEE THE WEEK'S LATEST ON CLIMATE CHANGE:
• Copenhagen climate wars: A battle guide
• Did Russian spies engineer 'Climategate'?
• Does ‘Climategate’ kill Copenhagen?
• Climate change: Time to eat Fido?
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Humza Yousaf clears the decks to battle no-confidence vote
Speed Read First minister is 'done', according to insider, but a single vote could change the balance
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Immunotherapy and hay fever
The Explainer Research shows that the treatment could provide significant relief from symptoms for many hay fever sufferers
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A flooded island, a ballistic missile, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published