Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – Speak Your Mind

Beyond the China Coal Excuse

Yaël Ksander — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:00:19 +0000

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that unless we cut carbon emissions soon, we risk taking the planet past an irreversible tipping point with disastrous consequences for food security, for species extinction, for hundreds of millions living near coasts, and for unleashing epidemic disease. The Pentagon recognizes climate change as a preeminent national security threat.

In their November 12 summit, President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement committing U.S. to reduce emissions by 28% by 2025 compared to 2005 levels, while China would cap its level of emissions (still far lower per capita) by 2030 and greatly increase its share of renewable energy.

In a forum during recent Congressional campaign, Indiana’s 9th District Congressman Todd Young pledged to work against a carbon tax, which he claimed would put U.S. manufacturers at a disadvantage compared with Chinese producers. Obama’s Beijing accord undermines that excuse. Besides, climate advocates had explained to him that their carbon fee-and-dividend proposal includes a tariff penalizing imports from polluting countries. Congressman Young received a major campaign contribution from Solar Sources, Inc., actually a coal mining company.

A 2013 Stanford University poll found that 81% of Americans want the federal government to regulate business emissions of greenhouse gases. Only 21% think it is a good idea to generate electricity from coal.

Hoosiers must work for a sustainable Indiana that moves beyond coal and climate denial.

Sources:

https://ipcc-wg2.gov/AR5/images/uploads/WG2AR5_SPM_FINAL.pdf

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/opinion/climate-change-breakthrough-in-beijing.html?ref=opinion

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/world/asia/china-us-xi-obama-apec.html

Will Indiana Play Climate Spoiler?

Yaël Ksander — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 16:51:40 +0000

On June 2nd, the Environmental Protection Agency announced regulations to limit carbon dioxide pollution from the nation’s power plants, which are the largest single source of greenhouse gas pollution, accounting for 40% of total emissions. The New York Times reports that other nations, including China, will be studying these regulations to determine the scope of their own programs.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that climate change threatens the world’s food supply, endangering yields of wheat and maize, as well oceanic fish. Scientists recently found the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is melting, bringing a global rise in sea level that would flood coastal cities around the world and drive mass migration, as well as political conflict.

As a coal state, Indiana produces more carbon dioxide pollution than much more populous states such as New York, Illinois, and California. Indiana’s Congressional delegation protects the coal industry by trying to block carbon regulations. Even Senator Joe Donnelly, who calls climate change “the defining issue of our time,” wrote to President Obama asking for weak E.P.A. regulations on coal.

Indiana would pay a heavy price for being a climate spoiler: in lower crop yields; in storms; in liability as an enraged world held polluters to account; and in drastic adjustments which would be much cheaper if made now.

Pope Francis put it succinctly: “Safeguard Creation. Because if we destroy Creation, Creation will destroy us! Never forget this!” I hope that Senator Donnelly, a Catholic, is listening.

Sources

The Guardian

The New York Times

National Resources Defense Council

The Hill

NBC Chicago

Think Progress