COPENHAGEN: Non-binding Climate Agreement Is All Bark And No Bite

The agreement finally reached by world leaders at Copenhagen, which sets the first emission limits for India and China and new reduction targets for the United States, is being hailed as an ‘unprecedented breakthrough’. But it doesn’t take a climate expert to see that this agreement, which is not legally binding in any way, falls far short of what many people hoped would be a real way out of the climate crisis.

Many had hopes that the U.N Conference on climate change, which has been convened in Copenhagen since December 7th, would reveal nations willingness to set agressive goals for reducing greenhouse gas emission in nations known as heavy polluters, and offer up mutually beneficial solutions to developing nations that would encourage them to preserve their forests and keep their emissions in check as they continue to pursue industrialzation.

Although it is encouraging to see that the United States, which refused to adopt the commitments of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, did commit to curbing greenhouse gases, the agreement was still vague on some of the most important details, such as basic information about how much money would be provided as aid to enable poor nations adapt to the changing climate and employ low-emission fuels.

In a recent press release, Oxfam International criticized the deal as weak and more hype than help. Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director of Oxfam International said:

“The deal is a triumph of spin over substance. It recognizes the need to keep warming below 2 degrees but does not commit to do so. It kicks back the big decisions on emissions cuts and fudges the issue of climate cash.

Millions of people around the world do not want to see their hopes for a fair, binding and ambitious deal die in Copenhagen. Leaders need to get back round the table in early 2010 take the hard decisions they copped out of in Copenhagen.”

Although the agreement gives other nations until February to sign on with specific emission commitments, many are skeptical that any developing nations would even consider adding their names to this aspirational document, given that it provides no guarantees that the necessary financial aid will be provided, or that the aid will be distributed correctly to the public officials that need it.

Image Credit: trendsupdates.com

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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pierluigi b.

3:00AM PST on Dec 29, 2009

Thanks for the article!

send a green star

Bill U.

7:36AM PST on Dec 26, 2009

thanks for the post

Kenneth L.

7:28AM PST on Dec 26, 2009

Michael A., what 'attempt' at a 1 world government? Copenhagen? And right there it goes into the realm of world domination plot conspiracy theorists.
Personally, IMO I don't think every leader of every country on the planet is controlled by some such conspiracy including Obama, the Queen of England, the Royal Family, David Suzuki, Al Gore, Prince Charles, including who they're married to, their children, extended family, in-laws, tied by blood, finances, and even those who simply are GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION as I've seen a number of conpspiracy theorists say.
But then, you've got your opinion and I've got mine. And there it stays as such until PROVEN which only THEN makes it fact and not opinion.

Loretta L.

3:19AM PST on Dec 26, 2009

Michael Austin - you say we need cleaner air. Why is the air not clean? I believe it is because, for the last century, we have effectively been burning up several millions of year's worth of the earth's carbon sink. If we want clean air, we need to figure out a carbon sink that is able to deal with this pollution.

Michael A.

12:08AM PST on Dec 26, 2009

Interesting article, even if it is 1 sided. Before anyone jumps down my throat with both feet, I agree we are too wasteful, too dependent on oil & we need to do a lot of things to clean up our act. I believe this because I believe we need cleaner air, not because "it is killing the planet." I am not a believer in Al Gore's Global Warming hype.
From the studies I have done, I have come to believe the ones who have proven the earth goes through this type of cycle every x number of thousands of years. Since there wasn't any production, cars, buses, planes, etc the last time this happened, then it is quite obvious this will happen no matter how many people recycle, change the light bulbs to energy savers and stop driving their car. GRANTED, these things would be better for all! I just don't like people trying to use a false scare tactic to get a point across. People should care enough with the air quality reports that have been added to morning traffic reports. Some cities offer them throughout the day! Once they reach a certain number, some businesses will even send people home! Sad!
In my opinion, the treaty in Copenhagen will never work out until other agendas are removed! The attempt at a 1 world gov't is the worst, I will never suport it! Forcing larger countries to pay smaller countries a "penalty" of millions and millions of dollars is next. People just won't agree to that. See, Who Killed The Electric Car? it's excellent! We need those cars back & to work to

Rajshree B.

6:37AM PST on Dec 25, 2009

We each need to do our own part where global warming is concerned...

Mari '.

6:35AM PST on Dec 24, 2009

We are killing ourselves and still children fight rather than heal.

The Earth already has won.....

5:09AM PST on Dec 24, 2009

Reva: "I get so mad at narrow minded people who do so, without even considering the idea at all" That's an indirect personal shot at me. Can it be Reva, you're putting me down? lol!
And are you JUDGING me Reva? That I'm one of those 'narrow-minded people', who doesn't even "consider the idea at all"? This after how you put me down about judging others???? Lol!

And of course, it's the OTHER person who's narrow-minded, not you...of course!

And you're the only one who tries to keep themselves informed. Not me. Not those other 'narrow-minded' people. Lol! (Believe me, I've been 'informed' by at least 50 diehard conspiracy theorists about 9/11 and the new world order conspiracy plot and the 'Climategate conspiracy plot' to mention three in the last year on Care2.)

If you think Care2 threads are a forum where everyone sweetly says their opinion and nobody can disagree with any ideas that anybody puts forth (I don't even want to call them opinions because that's too personal), and do it strongly sometimes, you've misjudged.

And now it's almost Christmas.

Reva R.

7:22PM PST on Dec 23, 2009

Herbert, that is so true. And my points to Kenneth L have been just that. I have said in all humility that I am no expert on anything. I am just a layperson who, conspiracy theorist or not, have had these thoughts buidling up in my head for a while and just needed to get them out.

My mom and I were talking about this whole thing and after today I will be deleting my account because this 'sharing of information' just gets me upset and all worked up.

I think that as long as we keep questioning, reading and keeping our eyes open, to all sides, no matter how ridiculous some of them may sound, then we have a better chance of being truly informed. I don't think we can afford to overlook any point of view these days and I get so mad at narrow minded people who do so, without even considering the idea at all.

I do try to get myself 'informed' about all sides of every issue but really what information are we actually reading, watching and listening to? How can we really know if we are being intelligently informed in order to draw intelligent 'conclusions'. Intelligent to one person can be defined entirely different by another, that's another thing about human beings.

We'll always have a continuum of opinions with polar opposites where never the 'twain shall meet. Kenneth L and me for example. It's just life. It's a natural check and balance that is necessary for human existence. No matter how frustrating it gets!

4:01PM PST on Dec 23, 2009

Oh Reva, I don't stop anyone from speaking their minds. That's a false idea of yours if that's what you think. Wrong.

You do not like to be called a conspiracy theorist, that's your problem. Look up the two words separately in the dictionary. Or the term. Look up the definitions. Then all anyone has to do is view your previous posts on this thread.
What is this "please stop telling me" thing. I haven't TOLD you or anyone what to think. But conspiracy theorists, most of them, DO.
As for judging things, anyone does it. I will judge ANYTHING I wish to, any idea, any comment. Anyone does it. You don't like it. That's your problem.
Conspiracy theorists, most, especially JUDGE others to be 'brainwashed' and 'not awake' and are 'sheeple'. Who do you think you're kidding? I've certainly missed something about you and it shows with your wild reactions, both here and 'privately'.

As for one person creating multiple personalities on Care2, it happens. Fact. Face it.

And I'm still waiting for 'charles g.' to answer my questions. Not a light little implication he made.
The first thing he needs to do is show evidence the president of Care2 is an ex-member of the CFR. Otherwise it's just RUMOR. He makes a public statement. He has to show the evidence publicly.

And Reva, DON'T contact me again 'privately'.

BTW,