By Tom Ewing
I recently received an email with the following question in the subject line: “What will be the outcome of scrapping the US Clean Power Plan on its INDC?” (Note: INDC = “intended nationally determined contributions.” “Contributions” in this context is not a positive amount, so to speak. Rather it is what you, as a nation, or representing a nation, will “contribute” towards efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, most commonly CO2. It is one of many awkward acronyms and phrases that are part of the climate change lingo; possibly a result of a search for some commonality among so many languages.)
As you likely know if you’ve signed up for announcements about COP21 and the Paris Framework or Agreement there’s no shortage of groups sending out stuff. For some, climate change will prove to be very lucrative, indeed, what with endless conferences, consultancy contracts, new legal and graduate courses, burgeoning travel budgets with endless expenses for travel, meals, hotels, car rentals, oh, the struggle of it all. So this e-mail with the wonky rhetorical question about scrapping the US Clean Power Plan was really just one of about 10 climate emails that day.
Wow. I’m glad I opened it! And then sat unmoved, reading it. I know your time is valuable but you need to read this report, too.
It’s got the deliberately smart-alecky name of “Capitan America,” published by the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi. It’s got cartoons of a fat Uncle Sam sort of sitting on and squashing the rest of the world. Its general thesis: that the US ain’t doin’ much about this ol’ climate change thing. Yes, there was plenty of graceful dancing cheek-to-cheek at the recent Paris cotillion. But that hot dance floor was just a lot of sizzle and not much steak from Capitan America.
Here are some out-takes:
* “The electricity sector emissions in the US reduced 1.8 per cent annually (2005-2014) mainly due to the switch from coal to natural gas. Under the CPP, it will reduce only by 1.6 per cent from now on till 2030 which is worse than the business as usual. Even in 2030, about 60 per cent of US electricity will be produced from coal and gas.” (Emphasis added.)
* “We present a few inconvenient truths — one per chapter — that might throw cold water on the celebration. The US climate action plan is dramatic. But it is neither ambitious nor equitable. Worse, it is but business-as-usual. If implemented, we have analysed, emissions reduction will be marginal.”
* “We also know that if Americans continue their guzzle, it is not possible to expect the rest will not follow in their footsteps. The world — the US and us — cannot combat climate change without changing the way we drive, build homes or consume goods. The C-word is the C-word.”
Note the reference above to one inconvenient truth per chapter. The report starts with a close analysis of the US’ INDC, which the authors conclude is neither fair nor ambitious, that the US has so bullied the metrics that reductions from 2005 can look quite robust, but, in fact, are intentionally misleading. Subsequent chapters deliver a body blow to Americans’ unchanged investments and behaviors regarding private automobiles, conspicuous and bloated consumption, including many food issues, shopping malls, huge houses and buildings, in short, everything that, uh, pretty much most people just take for granted, and, critically, take it for granted that none of that activity and stuff will ever have to change! Even if you want to lower the temperature of a planet!
As important and provocative as this report is, it’s not the be-all and end-all of climate debates and whether or not certain activities are meaningful or not. The authors do not reference and cover some important and critical issues. But their basic reference and concern – that the US is hogging the final remaining “space” for carbon emissions, space desperately needed for development in very poor parts of the world – forms a critical presentation, one that needs to be read and thought about, particularly by people who are patting themselves on the back regarding US decisions and directions so far.
After you read Capitan America and if you want to start a dialogue on its critical tenets, please send a note – I’ll add it to the blog. You can stay anonymous if you want.
Oh by the way, just a few minutes after finishing my read I noticed the following headline on a so-called Internet “news site:”
“Why A Swimming Pool Needs An Internet Connection.”
Ahhh, living in the US and fighting climate change…! It’s tough!
Originally published in Regulatory Clarity on 18-02.2016
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