There has been much cheering in the media of late in regards to the emission reduction agreement between the USA and China. This, it is claimed, puts pressure on Canada to "take action on climate change". But it's a non-agreement. Neither the Congress nor Senate in the US will ratify it, and although the President will most likely declare it to be law by Imperial Edict, he'll be out of power long before the 13 years that he's committed to have passed. So it's a non-treaty, just an unenforceable pledge between two leaders.
While Obama has agreed to cut US emissions to 26 per cent below 2005 levels, what has China agreed to do? Business as usual. China's emissions were already projected to peak in 2030 as its industrialization and electrification program reaches its goals. Under this agreement nothing changes as China, by far the world's greatest CO2 emitter, has agreed to continue building coal plants at the rate of 3 - 4 per month for the next 16 years, tripling its emissions. This is seen as progress in fighting climate change? China is setting the example for Canada? OK, how about we commit to tripling our emissions over the next 16 years? Then the media could heap praise on us the same as it has on China.
China has said repeatedly that it has no intentions of cutting emissions, and this demonstrates their commitment to that idea. When Obama is so pathetically eager for an agreement (any agreement!) that he'll sign anything, they're happy to oblige.
The Chinese are well aware of their history, that the Medieval Warm Period (warmer than now) saw them thrive, and the cooling of the Little Ice Age was harmful, believed to be a considerable factor in the collapse of the Ming Dynasty. They know there's nothing to fear from global warming and they're quite happy to take advantage of the gullible. One hopes Canada will not be as foolish.
Art Betke
Prince George
