This week the U.S. and China (the world’s two largest polluters) reached a historic agreement on climate change. Both nations will cut back carbon emissions, with the U.S. reducing levels by 26-28% of 2005 levels by 2025, and China agreeing to peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, with 20% of energy coming from renewables.
Together, China and the U.S. are responsible for 45% of global carbon emissions. This historic agreement signals that China is serious about climate change. This could be a game-changer since many politicians have used Chinas uncontrolled emissions as a reason for the U.S. to do nothing.
While this agreement alone is far from enough, it is a step in the right direction. Let us celebrate and give thanks for this historic step forward.
Here is Bill McKibben’s analysis of this agreement.