Some climate experts have touted the idea of a congressional executive agreement rather than an international treaty, given the difficulties in getting Senate approval.
Climate analysts said they were buoyed by Kerry's general comments on global warming and said they are hoping to see him take a more personal interest in the U.N. treaty negotiations.
A different stylistic approach
"Putting climate change much more at the core of American foreign policy is really in future Secretary Kerry's interest," said Jennifer Morgan, climate and energy director at the World Resources Institute think tank. She called for the United States to develop an international energy strategy and to put climate change and clean energy at the center of new bilateral agreements.
Andrew Light, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, praised current Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's track record on climate but said he thinks having a secretary who has attended several U.N. climate meetings will make a difference. Countries have agreed to develop a new international agreement by 2015 that will demand carbon cuts from all emitters, including the United States and China.
"I would expect that he will take more of a front-row seat," Light said. He also pushed for Kerry to use his role to make a case for an international climate agreement to the American public -- something the State Department has so far rarely done.
"One of the things that should happen is that the climate envoy's office should be expanded so that's in their portfolio," Light said. "They really don't have anyone doing a lot of that. They spend more time doing shuttle diplomacy to different capitals than they do doing shuttle diplomacy to different state capitals to get people and the business sector engaged in what can be gained from an international agreement."
Ned Helme, president of the Center for Clean Air Policy, said he doesn't expect new U.S. positions at the international negotiations under Kerry but does expect to see a different stylistic approach.
"I think the tone will change; because of his knowledge of Congress and his knowledge of the countries, he's going to be willing to get out there and speak his mind and find a middle ground," Helme said. "This is a personal thing he truly cares about, and that makes a difference."
Reprinted from Climatewire with permission from Environment & Energy Publishing, LLC. www.eenews.net, 202-628-6500
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Add Comment"Countries have agreed to develop a new international agreement by 2015 that will demand carbon cuts from all emitters, including the United States and China." You can add India and Russia to that.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAnd if any of these nations does not want to comply what are the countries going to do about it?
The question is how much to spend; where & when to spend it. With an agreed 0.1-1% of GDP net increase in costs due to AGW in the next 100 years, prostrating economy would be ridiculous. Using AGW as an excuse to dole out billions to force immature technologies will push back meaningful efforts to deal with climate change.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this0.1% - 1% of global GDP is a BARGAIN compared to the current and dangerously increasing damages that climate change will cause in the future. Here is a decent starting point:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics_of_global_warming
BTW, around 3% of US GDP is flushed down the toilet every year JUST dealing with the damages that coal pollution causes. Just focusing on the cost of action while ignoring the costs of inaction will GUARANTEE that you'll make a bad decision.
The US is making inroads in energy efficiency.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSee the currently running SA Daily Digest story:
"Does Increased Energy Efficiency Just Spark Us to Use More?"
- http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2013/01/24/does-increased-energy-efficiency-just-spark-us-to-use-more/?WT_mc_id=SA_DD_20130125
But watch out world.
China is just getting started in energy consumption.
Wait until the Chinese get cars.
And start to heat their homes in the winter.
Yes, that is right.
China regulates when the heat can be turned on in Northern China.
And Southern China gets no heat.
But with increasing prosperity and a cold front in November, China turned on the heat earl this year.
"Central heating services, which are mainly used in North China, are generally turned on when average daily temperatures fall below 5 C for five straight days.
Sun Yuchun, the mother of a 3-year-old boy in Beijing, was excited when she heard that the heating system will be turned on ahead of schedule. She said that she had to use home heaters last week to keep indoor temperatures at an appropriate level for her son."
- ChinaDaily USA 10/31/12 http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-10/31/content_15858512.htm
But as prosperity spreads in China, people will soon not be satisfied with waiting until 5 straight days of 5 degree weather before the heat is turned on.
They are not going to be satisfied with indoor temps kept in the 50s - requiring them to wear coats indoors all winter.
Soon even southern China - which often is no warmer than Washington DC - will also want heat in the winter.
So watch out world.
Global warming is just getting warmed up.
The agreement should include mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCongratulations to Senator Kerry for confirming Environmental climatology as a foreign policy instrument.There is immense possibility about using solar energy.Sun shines everywhere,rich or poor,developed or underdeveloped Country.Many solar devices r expensive,and can't be afforded by all.However,SOLAR COOKERS r affordable by all-rich or poor.The Summer season would soon start in Northern hemisphere--home to more than half of Global population.If we start using solar cookers at home,office canteen/cafetaria,restaurant and hotels-a large part of our energy crisis will be solved,environment will be protected,global warming will be less.Solar cooking is easily done,we cook all varieties of food--veg,or non-veg,Western,Oriental-in fact all cuisines.Food cooked in Solar cookers -is very healthy,saves time and energy.Every body also saves huge amount of money.Let us all -in the whole World-start solar cooking -this summer-to save the Mother Earth.Thanks-
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYeah, that will really "save the Mother Earth". You're dreaming dude, hyping these Pixie Power fantasies is a guaranteed way to ENSURE that the status quo - burn,baby,burn - will continue until there is no more coal, oil or NG left.
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