Climate change. US under pressure again.

It's great to see the debate over global warming taking central stage, even in the midst of a close electoral season in the United States.
At the opening yesterday in Kenya of a two-week United Nations treaty conference on climate change, the differing positions of the U.S. and Europe were clearly on display. Europeans urge more aggressive government policies to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. believes in letting technology lead the way.

The chief U.S. negotiator Harlan Watson, made it clear on day one that the U.S. is not yet willing to submit to a mandatory regime of greenhouse gas cutbacks.

The U.S. continues to adopt a myopic view arguing that imposing federal targets could hold back economic growth. Europe looks to the long term, arguing that fears about economic growth are derisory in comparison to the damage  being caused by global warming. The British government last week issued a study by Sir Nicholas Stern predicting that the damage from unrestricted emissions could in fact end up costing between 5-20% of annual global gross domestic product.

A new report today by the International Energy Agency (IEA) lends weight to the Stern report, predicting that if governments do not take action, energy demand would grow by about 53%, with fossil fuels accounting for 83% of the increase between 2004 and 2030. But it said that demand for energy could be cut by 10%  using alternative strategies. (By the way, the IEA report is not without controversy as the group backs increased nuclear energy use as the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissons.)
(click on this excellent diagram to view how energy demand will be affected if we do nothing, or instead adopt alternatives)

In an opinion piece published today, the former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, Kenneth Rogoff, issues a passionate call for the U.S. to change its position. He writes: "As an American, I am appalled, ashamed and embarassed by my country's lack of leadership in dealing with global warming."

Click here for BBC coverage of the U.N. climate talks in Kenya.
Click here to read Rogoff's article.
Click here to read more about the IEA's report.

- David Adams