Agreement in Poland Advances Climate Action—But Not Enough, EESI

Jay OwenGreen Prosperity, Global Citizen, Earth Systems Science

“Ethical Markets joins EESI and the global consensus on reducing CO2 emissions and shifting to cleaner, greener, knowledge-richer circular economies worldwide, as we also reported in our annual Green Transition Scoreboard 2018: “Capturing CO2 While Improving Human Nutrition & Health” (now a free download at www.ethicalmarkets.com with our companion TV show with NASA Chief Scientist Dennis Bushnell).

We show that sequestering CO2 as Nature does, through proper management of forests, lands and soils provides huge opportunities, as well as shifting to wider use of  protein-rich salt-loving plants (halophytes, e.g. quinoa) which grow on degraded, desert lands without fertilizers or pesticides, irrigated with saltwater.  Broadening our global food systems to also embrace indigenous, organic agroecology and many more under-used plants, while shifting away from livestock-raised meat  diets can also improve human health.

We are supportive members of the many private investment groups now leading in the USA along with city and state officials over-riding Trump administration, Kuwait, Russia and Saudi Arabia and special interest fossil and industrial agro-chemical groups’ opposition. We are a part of this global movement, embraced at COP 24 by 197 nations toward humanity’s climate stabilization and a sustainable future.

~Hazel Henderson, Editor“

Agreement in Poland Advances Climate Action—But Not Enough

For more information, contact: Amaury Laporte at (202) 662-1884 or alaporte@eesi.org

December 15,2018—This Saturday, 197 countries—including the United States—agreed on a rule book for the Paris Climate Agreement, which calls on the world’s nations to keep global warming significantly below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Participating countries have already submitted written pledges to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, by transitioning to cleaner energy sources and by promoting energy efficiency. But rules were needed to ensure that countries could monitor each other’s actions, and properly measure their impacts.

Today’s agreement is a solid step in the right direction,” said EESI Executive Director Carol Werner. “The details still need to be ironed out, but the agreed-upon rules set the stage for the effective implementation of the commitment made in Paris to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The international community also agreed to increase its greenhouse gas reduction commitments by 2020, and to provide more financing for vulnerable nations. But does this get us to where we need to be? No. The global community has failed to seize an opportunity to take the truly decisive, urgent action we need to see. The latest U.N. climate report, Global Warming of 1.5 ºC, warns that we really should be aiming to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius—not 2—and that we only have 12 years left to act if we want to avoid drastic consequences.”

Shockingly, the United States joined three other major oil-producing countries—Kuwait, Russia, and Saudi Arabia—to block language that would have embraced the 1.5 C Report and called for more urgent, ambitious climate action. The Trump Administration has already indicated that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement at the earliest opportunity, in 2020. In addition, Brazil, under a new administration, blocked rules that would have helped set a carbon trading system.

“The failure of the United States to lead on climate action, as it has in the past—it played a key role in getting the Paris Climate Agreement past the finish line—is mortifying and saddening,” said Carol Werner. “Fortunately, U.S. states, cities, and businesses are stepping up to the plate and pledging to decisively curb their carbon emissions. They are being joined by activists, nonprofits, tribes, and educational and religious institutions, which is much more reflective of American public opinion. And, we are looking to the new Congress to provide robust discussion of climate and resilience actions. Many in the large incoming freshman class and new House Committee chairs are deeply concerned about climate change and want to take action on behalf of the country.”

For more information:

For more information, contact Amaury Laporte at alaporte@eesi.org or (202) 662-1884.

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The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (www.eesi.org ) is an independent, non-profit organization advancing innovative policy solutions to set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path. EESI educates policymakers, builds coalitions and develops policy in support of energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable biomass, sustainable buildings, and sustainable transportation. EESI was founded by a bipartisan Congressional caucus in 1984, and its strong relationship with Congress helps EESI serve as a trusted source of credible, non-partisan information on energy and environmental issues. EESI receives no congressional funding and is supported through contributions and grants.