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Fossil fuel power stations, like this one in the US, are the key sources of climate pollution.
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A colleague has a new baby son called Su Jia Yang named by joining the surnames of both parents.
Roughly translated it means ‘Su plus Yang’, ending up with their son’s name.
An elegant idea, much more so than the term ‘chimerica’, coined to describe the interdependent relationship between China and the United States.
Yet the importance of the relationship between both nations, between the Chinese and American people, and between both presidents cannot be ignored.
Especially when dealing with the issue of our time, climate change.
This Monday and Tuesday the US is gathering together representatives from 16 major economies for talks on climate change and energy to help pave the way for a successful UN climate agreement in Copenhagen in December.
Those invited to this meeting, termed the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, include Australia, the EU, Germany, Japan, Russia and China.
For decades, the world has watched Washington ignore both the climate and energy crisis, threatening not only its own economy and security, but also the economies and security of all nations.
This past attitude has also threatened the planet that supports us.
The US has not been alone in this cavalier attitude.
Few nations on earth have yet responded to the seriousness of global warming.
But the size and power of the US has made their past attitude all the more serious.
Washington gets serious
There is new evidence that the US and President Obama are moving ahead quickly.
For example, in the last month, the Global Wind Energy Council released data confirming that the US is now the world’s number one wind energy nation, the US EPA acknowledged that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, and the first comprehensive energy and climate bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 was released for comment.
President Obama appears to have broken this decades long trend of neglect.
He has committed the US to a comprehensive clean energy plan and world leadership that will generate green jobs, reduce dependence on oil, and reduce carbon pollution worldwide.
President Obama is helping put climate on the agenda of every major world leader.
The global consensus on the need to address climate change has finally reached the highest levels of government.
This is exactly what is needed; the personal engagement of world leaders to reach a global climate deal.
RSVP Copenhagen
World leaders, including President Hu, should confirm their attendance at the Climate Summit that the UN Secretary General plans to convene in September at the time of the UN General Assembly.
They should also agree to meet in Copenhagen in December to provide the ultimate political leadership needed to make sure the UN negotiations succeed.
To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the US and other industrialised countries need to sharply reduce emissions and developing countries need to take actions to slow pollution increases as they grow their economies and reduce poverty.
Any deliberations on Capitol Hill have an impact beyond America’s borders.
The more the US can do, the more other nations can do as well.
The same is true for China.
China in the spotlight
China is now seen as a key trend setting, not only in the region but also globally.
Multilateral coordination on climate will be rendered ineffective without meaningful action from both nations.
Both President Hu and President Obama have been given an extraordinary opportunity as leaders.
They have the chance to leave a remarkable legacy.
A legacy of climate protection as well as stronger, greener and more sustainable economies.
As a result, we hope that both nations will spend much of the 21st century competing to be the world’s superpower in terms of energy efficiency designs and technologies as well as a superpower in terms of renewable energy.
Su Jia Yang, who represents the hopes and dreams of his parents, will have to live with the consequences of decisions made this year by both leaders.
Let's hope they are ones that ensure his safety and the safety of the planet.
Catherine Fitzpatrick is Greenpeace China's Climate and Energy Campaign adviser.
Roughly translated it means ‘Su plus Yang’, ending up with their son’s name.
An elegant idea, much more so than the term ‘chimerica’, coined to describe the interdependent relationship between China and the United States.
Yet the importance of the relationship between both nations, between the Chinese and American people, and between both presidents cannot be ignored.
Especially when dealing with the issue of our time, climate change.
This Monday and Tuesday the US is gathering together representatives from 16 major economies for talks on climate change and energy to help pave the way for a successful UN climate agreement in Copenhagen in December.
Those invited to this meeting, termed the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, include Australia, the EU, Germany, Japan, Russia and China.
For decades, the world has watched Washington ignore both the climate and energy crisis, threatening not only its own economy and security, but also the economies and security of all nations.
This past attitude has also threatened the planet that supports us.
| President Obama is helping put climate on the agenda of every major world leader. |
|
Few nations on earth have yet responded to the seriousness of global warming.
But the size and power of the US has made their past attitude all the more serious.
Washington gets serious
There is new evidence that the US and President Obama are moving ahead quickly.
For example, in the last month, the Global Wind Energy Council released data confirming that the US is now the world’s number one wind energy nation, the US EPA acknowledged that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, and the first comprehensive energy and climate bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 was released for comment.
President Obama appears to have broken this decades long trend of neglect.
He has committed the US to a comprehensive clean energy plan and world leadership that will generate green jobs, reduce dependence on oil, and reduce carbon pollution worldwide.
President Obama is helping put climate on the agenda of every major world leader.
The global consensus on the need to address climate change has finally reached the highest levels of government.
This is exactly what is needed; the personal engagement of world leaders to reach a global climate deal.
RSVP Copenhagen
World leaders, including President Hu, should confirm their attendance at the Climate Summit that the UN Secretary General plans to convene in September at the time of the UN General Assembly.
They should also agree to meet in Copenhagen in December to provide the ultimate political leadership needed to make sure the UN negotiations succeed.
To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the US and other industrialised countries need to sharply reduce emissions and developing countries need to take actions to slow pollution increases as they grow their economies and reduce poverty.
Any deliberations on Capitol Hill have an impact beyond America’s borders.
The more the US can do, the more other nations can do as well.
The same is true for China.
China in the spotlight
China is now seen as a key trend setting, not only in the region but also globally.
Multilateral coordination on climate will be rendered ineffective without meaningful action from both nations.
Both President Hu and President Obama have been given an extraordinary opportunity as leaders.
They have the chance to leave a remarkable legacy.
A legacy of climate protection as well as stronger, greener and more sustainable economies.
As a result, we hope that both nations will spend much of the 21st century competing to be the world’s superpower in terms of energy efficiency designs and technologies as well as a superpower in terms of renewable energy.
Su Jia Yang, who represents the hopes and dreams of his parents, will have to live with the consequences of decisions made this year by both leaders.
Let's hope they are ones that ensure his safety and the safety of the planet.
Catherine Fitzpatrick is Greenpeace China's Climate and Energy Campaign adviser.
