The noxious politics of climate change

• Source: Global Times
• [00:48 December 21 2009]
• Comments

The world's largest unrepentant contributor of carbon dioxide, the United States, has turned itself into a leader for fighting climate change with little substantial commitment at the climate change conference that it nearly sabotaged.

At the eleventh hour, the five countries of China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and the US inked the Copenhagen Accord. This made sure that Obama would have something to declare as victory when he is back home to raise his approval rating.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's breathtaking announcement that the US would collect $100 billion every year for 10 years captured the headline worldwide. There was no mention as to where this amount would come from though no one was left in the least doubt about the stringent terms to bind the would-be recipient countries.

Grudgingly accepted by major countries, the Copenhagen Accord will unravel in the years to come as the countries get down to working out the details of the vaguely worded deal.

D e v e l o p i n g countries still need to work together to safeguard their interests, such as ensuring that developed countries honor their pledge to cut emissions and deliver the capital and technology to which they have committed.

The Copenhagen conference demonstrated that China and developing countries have deeply-shared interests and stakes. At one stage, because of the Group of 77 being frustrated by the rich countries, the conference appeared to be on the verge of falling apart. China, too, was unfairly targeted with the US and the EU insisting that it accept disproportionate responsibility.