Emissions compromise least bad choice at present

• Source: Global Times
• [22:53 December 15 2009]
• Comments

By Wang Yuan

Ever since the issue of climate change was first raised in the 1970s, various startling numbers have urged the world to take steps to curb global warming.

Scientifically, according to The Copenhagen Diagnosis,ªpublished by the University of New South Wales last month, even if we keep emitting carbon dioxide at present levels, which are 40 percent faster than that in 1990, the cost would be enormous.

Just 20 more years of emissions at present levels would mean a 25 percent probability that global temperatures would rise by 2°C, which could lead to huge environmental and economic costs. Any delay in acting will increase the chances of exceeding warming.

The globalªfi ght against climate change is thus bound to be a race against time.

As a significant step toward saving the world, the Copenhagen climate summit could set no clearer target than committing to specific emission cuts.

But climate change is far more than a purely scientifi c issue, and political games are involved. As part of the restructuring of the global political pattern, countries are availing themselves of every opportunity to maximum their interests, and global warming has created a hot new arena. Specific emissions cuts have become political bargaining chips for pragmatic players.

The US has long been criticized for refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol, and it needs to improve an image tarnished by former US President George W. Bush's unilateralism.