GVPT306 Blog #1: The Future of Climate Change

GVPT306 Blog #1: The Future of Climate Change

Climate change may be the most prominent and pressing global environmental issue of our time. The problems associated with climate change are well known and include higher global temperatures, changing landscapes (melting glaciers), rising seas, increased risks of floods/droughts, species extinction, stronger storms, and increased risk of infectious diseases. Although the problems are well known, it is the link of climate change to carbon emissions that is complex both scientifically and politically. However, as the world continues to warm, countries from around the globe are becoming increasingly anxious about the future of the planet, and may finally be ready to make the necessary strides to curb carbon emissions. In a recent article in the New York Times, President Barack Obama called on both the United States and China to make drastic changes in order to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (Landler and Davenport, 2014). As discussed in class, both the United States and China have generally been seen as ‘dragger states’ when it comes to cutting down on carbon, but according to this article, President Obama is finally ready to step up to the plate and wants China to join him. The question remains, is China willing and able to make the change with us?

The New York Times article, entitled “Obama Presses Chinese on Global Warming,” describes President Obama’s newest initiative to resolve the world’s growing concern about climate change. He calls on China’s President Xi Jinping to take the first steps with him. As the world’s two largest economies as well as polluters, President Obama claims that the United States and China “bear a special responsibility to lead” the worldwide initiative to cut down on carbon emissions (Landler and Davenport, 2014). Furthermore, President Obama states that the United States “would meet a pledge to reduce its carbon emissions by 17 percent, from 2005 levels, by 2020,” and expects China to come up with a similar plan of their own (Landler and Davenport, 2014). The Chinese government responded that they are currently devising a plan to reduce their emissions in the years to come (Landler and Davenport, 2014).

At this time, climate change remains an uphill battle. Due to the scientific and political nature of the issue, climate change is not only complicated to fix, but also requires the world to be selfless, which is nearly impossible for countries who are trying to develop and industrialize. For example, as discussed in class, climate change can be classified as a global commons problem, and some of the solutions to a global commons problem include total participation, voluntary restraint, and socialization (getting people to think about the commons in a different way). Nevertheless, developing countries such as India are not willing to put in the voluntary restraint the world currently needs (because their main focus is on industrialization), which defeats the idea of total participation. Total participation is a vital part of the combat against climate change because almost every country in the world is both a victim, as well as a villain, when it comes to emitting, so it is everyone’s responsibility to cut carbon.

With the United States and China shifting from ‘dragger’ to ‘pusher states,’ the future of climate change may finally be moving in the right direction. Although the plan to drastically cut carbon emissions is just the tip of the iceberg, it may be the beginning of a positive global shift to slow (and ultimately reverse) climate change. Even though past international efforts have not made much headway (for example, the Kyoto Protocol), the world’s biggest emitters are finally accepting their responsibility to cut greenhouse gas emissions. President Barack Obama’s pledge to cut down on emissions is a huge win for the environment. As the New York Times article states, President Obama said in a speech last week, “There should be no question that the United States of America is stepping up to the plate. We recognize our role in creating this problem; we embrace our responsibility to combat it” (Landler and Davenport, 2014). If we can get China to change its approach to carbon emissions, there might be a chance to impact climate change in the future.

Until then, we will have to wait and see how countries around the world choose to prioritize. If huge emitters such as China and the United States can follow through with their plans to curb their carbon emissions, other countries will certainly follow their lead. Although battling climate change has not been very successful in the past, scientists, environmentalists and now world leaders are coming together to make strategic steps towards a greener future. If China is willing and able to reduce their emissions, the world will surely see a positive shift in the years to come.

Landler, Mark, and Davenport, Coral. “Obama Presses Chinese on Global Warming.” September 23, 2014. The New York Times. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/24/world/asia/obama-at-un-climate-summit-calls-for-vast-international-effort.html?_r=0>