Here’s just a quick update because I’m running out the door to head to a vigil at the Bella center. Emails and texts are flying around Copenhagen to drive people out to the Bella Center where the UN climate talks have been taking place. Obama’s statement tonight basically sold out the UN process and the planet in the process: instead of taking part in any constructive way, the US decided that it could go it alone and create a completely non-binding, non-negotiable agreement with a few big emitters.
You can find more analysis online with a little searching. Here’s our take from 350.org founder Bill McKibben:
“This is a declaration that small and poor countries don’t matter, that international civil society doesn’t matter, and that serious limits on carbon don’t matter. The president has wrecked the UN and he’s wrecked the possibility of a tough plan to control global warming. It may get Obama a reputation as a tough American leader, but it’s at the expense of everything progressives have held dear. 189 countries have been left powerless, and the foxes now guard the carbon henhouse without any oversight.”
Yes, it’s a strong reaction. No, the issue isn’t completely settled. But it’s clear that this isn’t the treaty we need, it’s not a real deal, and it sure as well won’t get us back to 350 ppm. We’re going out to demonstrate, because while the agreement is still up the air, one thing is crystal clear — we need to act.
