The Climate as a Global Responsibility

Over the past century, the United States and other wealthy countries have emitted a disproportionate amount of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. By contrast, developing countries face enormous burdens to adapt to the impacts, despite being the least historically responsible for climate change. The United States should act immediately to reduce its emissions in order to limit those impacts. Yet, even with significant emissions reductions, the impact on impoverished countries will be severe, and the United States must stand on principle to assist those countries and communities that are most vulnerable and least able to adapt to the consequences of climate change. Climate change is also likely to destabilize countries and it puts the world at risk of entering wars over resources. A balanced agreement between developed and developing countries is more important than ever. The Copenhagen Protocol must contain terms that vary by country but still contain the same great goal.

In 2007, China overtook the United States as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Political advisor, and climate expert, Simon Tay said in reference to Asia:

No matter how deep the cuts are in the developed world, no matter how much they try to mitigate climate change, every good thing that is done there could easily be offset, and more, by rapid unsustainable growth in Asia.

Disagreements between rich and poor countries contributed to the stalling of the Kyoto Protocol of 1997. In Copenhagen, it is in the best interest of wealthier, developed nations to work with rapidly growing nations with emerging economies, to promote sustainable growth. Climate experts fear that poor countries will do nothing to limit their emissions unless wealthy countries pay for the development of clean technology and hold back their own emissions.

Developing countries will need to adapt water systems and agricultural techniques, reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events, cope with new and exacerbated disease vectors, and address increased migration and conflict. Studies by the World Bank assess a more complete range of additional impact costs and estimate costs of adaptation in developing countries to be at least $50 billion a year.

Climate Change as an Opportunity for Strengthening the U.S.-China Relationship

A positive diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and China will help the Copenhagen Protocol work efficiently and deliver improved results. During Secretary of State Clinton’s February, 2009 trip to China, the Conference was discussed. The Chinese stated,

Strengthening cooperation on climate change is in the interest of the two countries and conducive to our two nations contributing to international climate change cooperation. We would like to work with the US to make concrete progress on this issue.

A common understanding between the two countries to work together in Copenhagen increases the chances of pragmatic and effective worldwide climate goals being reached. The Chinese benefit from American consumerism and the U.S. can assist China by providing “green technology”, promoting sustainable growth, renewable energy, low-carbon technology, and low-emissions coal technologies. Despite the economic downturn in both countries, China and the U.S. are eager to focus on climate change.

Climate Change and Human Rights

In the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, a Council emphasized the importance of addressing climate change not only to ensure the planet's sustainability, but also to secure human rights. In the context of the upcoming Copenhagen climate meeting in December 2009, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights explained: "As you engage in those negotiations, you must bear in mind the grave human rights consequences of a failure to take decisive action now." A fair and balanced climate change agreement is needed, as global warming influences people's livelihoods and quality of life. Poverty, discrimination and inequalities are hence directly affected by climate change. Further, scientific evidence has found that already vulnerable societies will face the worst effects of climate change, owing to their geography, poverty, status, and age.

Conclusion

President Obama recognizes the challenge of the changing climate and the potential for the United States to lead the world through this struggle. A high level U.S. delegation must engage the U.S. in the preparatory process prior to Copenhagen. Members of Congress must consistently participate in the delegation. The U.S. should pass early legislation to address U.S. climate change as a prerequisite for U.S. global leadership in Copenhagen. Otherwise, climate change will continue to negatively impact the world’s ecosystem unless nations commit to a worldwide solution.