From Kyoto to G8 Summit 2009

Reports on the G8 Summit today focused on the dissension amongst developing nations and industrialized nations on the ambitious emissions reduction plan proposed today.

 80% reduction by all developed countries by 2050 and 50% reduction in emissions globally by the same year.  Although the dissension may not be the type of cooperation expected on dealing with climate change, I must say that the industrialized 8 nations can accomplish a lot of this reduction without the commitment of all the developing nations.

It will accomplish more than the Kyoto Protocol will.

1) the U.S. is actually in agreement on this one.  And being one of the top 2 emitters in the world, any climate change initiative is moot without their cooperation.  Also, there is already an initiative that looks similar that has gone through the U.S. House of Representatives.

2) It is ambitious.  The Kyoto Protocol essentially added up to a would-be 29% cut to emissions (reduce emissions between 2008-2012 to 5.2% below 1990 emission levels.)  Although it had 183 signatories with the intent to ratify, the abscence of the U.S. really hurt the effort.

3) Two of President Bush’s reservations about the protocol as well as the Senate, was that they did not want to create a plan that would harm the U.S. economy and did not include standards for developing nations.  Well this initiative at least will place standards on those developing nations that agree to it, and as far as the economy…I hate to put it like this, but with the economy in bad shape, this is probably the best time to adopt initiatives which place restrictions or standards on certain sectors of industry.  Basically what has been is not working anymore.  So we have little to lose in the U.S. auto industry for instance, by setting manufacturing requirements for cars produced between now and 2050, because most of the U.S. auto giants are trying to revamp or reinvigorate their products anyway.

This ambition has a lot of potential, because even if the world does not reach its target by 2050 and the industrialized nations miss their mark as well, knocking out any chunk of emissions will be a great achievement.  This emissions reduction plan really embodies shooting for the moon so that if you miss, you can land in the stars.  

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