Copenhagen & Beyond: Goals
Are we aiming too low? Panelists debate goals that countries should pursue to reduce global warming. Has the economic climate made it more difficult for countries to commit to environmental goals? Does the international community need another environmental catastrophe to consolidate its environmental aims? Shibata sees any improvement, like the reduction by countries to reduce their carbon emissions by fifty percent by 2050, as a small but important improvement, while Efstathiou argues that such minimal concessions do little to deal with the immediate problems.
Questions for students:
1. Do you agree with Shibata, or with Esfathiou? Can perfection sometimes be a barrier to progress?
2. Has the economic crisis had an effect on environmental legislation in the United States? If so, in what way?
3. Can the U.S. and Japan strengthen their alliance through a cooperative energy policy?
4. Diringer argues that a weak agreement would be worse than no agreement. Do you agree or disagree? Why? What is Diringer's reasoning?
Interesting Links:
Kyoto Protocol (UNFCCC)
"Obama Admin Weighs Costs of Doing Nothing on Climate", New York Times, November 3, 2009.
"Long View on Japan-U.S. Alliance", The Daily Yomiuri, November 13, 2009.
Related Debate Videos:
Copenhagen & Beyond: Enforcement Mechanisms
Copenhagen & Beyond: Market Mechanisms
Click here for an overview of the debate.
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