Over the last few decades, the US has vied with China for the infamous position as the top single contributor to world carbon emissions. Under George Bush Jnr., its reluctant dealings with other nations in reference to global warming and climate change policy, is well documented. Equally well documented, the rise of new president Barack Obama's 'green revolution', has spread something of a wave of optimism in many environmental camps; it is clear that, in their domestic policy and in their international policy, the US must be involved in enthusiastic climate change reductions, and it seems that, in Barack Obama, the US and the rest of the world might have found their man.
In a report published by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), though, a symbol of the task that Obama faces, or the fate to which we might succumb, has materialised. Showing that, of the G8 countries that will meet for climate change discussions in Copenhagen in December, the US have come last in their bid to cut their own carbon emissions, the WWF have given something of a warning to the Obama administration.
Based on the findings, the WWF president, Carter Roberts, stated that,
"For too long, the U.S. has resisted action while other nations have begun the transition to a clean energy economy. Other nations have dramatically cut greenhouse gas pollution, set national targets, ramped up investments in energy technology and set regulatory frameworks to spark innovation in key sectors. And now other countries dominate markets in sustainable energy and technology".
The problem, it seems, is that the disparity between economic growth and environmental performance, is substantial. President Barack Obama has pledged, with his new climate change bill, to bring the US in line with other nations, but its economic and political strength means that, in one sense, it is under little actual pressure to do so; with the US in cultural hegemony, other leading nations can only approach the problem by entreaty.
With no fear of isolation present, Obama will have to use all his political cunning if he is to convince Congress and the Senate that part of the US cultural hegemony most encompass a duty towards environmental issues, and carbon emissions reduction.
Posted under Articles, Environmental News
This post was written by Chris Woolfrey on July 3, 2009
