Initiative #1:
“In 2009, President Obama made a pledge that by 2020, America would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in the range of 17 percent below 2005 levels if all other major economies agreed to limit their emissions as well. Today, the President remains firmly committed to that goal and to building on the progress of his first term to help put us and the world on a sustainable long-term trajectory.”
Why is this important?
I am a big believer in the concept that goals should not be made, without a general bigger goal in mind. Reducing GHG emissions by any measure is difficult considering we live in a society that thrives off of industrialization, and consumerism, and all of this requires the burning of fossil fuels when it comes to transportation, factories, and creating; however, with this end goal in mind of reducing GHG emissions by 17% by 2020, in a thriving and prosperous Western society, the thriving will continue but in a more efficient manner in relationship to the environment.
What does this do for America?
According to the initiative, America has already doubled their usage of wind, solar, and geothermal energy. The action of doubling these renewable energies not only allows for the reduction of GHG Emissions considering this shift is from a more harmful type of energy, probably with the roots in burning of fossil fuels, but it also creates jobs, and industries.
What does this do for the world?
This may seem pompous, but my intentions here are not to set that aura around this concept, but as a Western society we set an example to society’s that are still developing. Why? Because we have already developed, and although the Kyoto Protocol exists for respected developing society’s to reduce their emissions this reinforces the concept.
Initiative #2:
“Enhancing Multilateral Engagement with Major Economies: In 2009, President Obama launched the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, a high-level forum that brings together 17 countries that account for approximately 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, in order to support the international climate negotiations and spur cooperative action to combat climate change. The Forum has been successful on both fronts – having contributed significantly to progress in the broader negotiations while also launching the Clean Energy Ministerial to catalyze the development and deployment of clean energy and efficiency solutions. We are proposing that the Forum build on these efforts by launching a major initiative this year focused on further accelerating efficiency gains in the buildings sector, which accounts for approximately one-third of global carbon pollutions from the energy sector.”
Why is this important?
Climate change isn’t something that is just impacting the inhabitants of the United States of America. In all honesty, I feel like we have it a lot better than other places, because there are islands that have had to evacuate and abandon their cultural and native roots to survive due to sea levels rising, and natural disasters have killed thousands upon thousands of innocent people. The reality is American’s are one of the culprits. We aren’t the only ones however, and President Barack Obama trying to initiate a global collective spur of events to reduce emissions sets this overall mood of a collective culture globally which is not seen enough in a world where we have a way of communicating amongst each other.
What does this do for America?
You could say that this action within itself alleviates any tension between America and other nations; however, I just want to make it clear that it’s not all about us. It’s okay for us to do something that will help the world without us getting something extra in return.
Obviously this helps us, because climate change impacts us as well, and we will be viewed in high regard for initiating this, but this is irrelevant considering if this is followed through properly, and people live by reducing emissions, this will prolong humanity and other organisms appearance here on earth.
What does this do for the world?
What this does for the world is allow more individual’s globally to get jobs, as new up and coming industries involving renewable energy are created. Let me emphasize the concept of a global collective culture however. Collectivistic cultures are cultures in which the needs of the group come over individual needs. Which in this scenario, could mean that the emissions, and climate change might not be impacting me personally, but I will still refrain from using fossil fuels to try not to contribute to the heat wave in lets say South Asia that has killed so many innocent people. America is known for having an individualistic culture, but this shift could benefit the world as we know it.
Initiative #3:
“Combatting Short-Lived Climate Pollutants: Pollutants such as methane, black carbon, and many HFCs are relatively short-lived in the atmosphere, but have more potent greenhouse effects than carbon dioxide. In February 2012, the United States launched the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollution, which has grown to include more than 30 country partners and other key partners such as the World Bank and the U.N. Environment Programme. Major efforts include reducing methane and black carbon from waste and landfills. We are also leading through the Global Methane Initiative, which works with 42 partner countries and an extensive network of over 1,100 private sector participants to reduce methane emissions.”
Why is this important?
It is a problem that is not discussed enough, and there is not enough initiative in regards to addressing it. That’s why this is an essential step. This Coalition is large, in terms of who is apart of it because its breaking countries boundaries so we can unite under one set goal.
What does this do for America?
It not only alleviates tension between nations, but with such a specific task at hand like ridding waste and landfills of black carbon and methane has room for innovation when it comes to machinery and finding a proper way to reduce these emissions from entering the atmosphere.
What does this do for the world?
It reduces the emissions and that seem like the main goal at hand, and it will be accomplished successfully through a global pursuit, and that’s what President Obama calls for, which is essential in a global predicament like climate change.
Last Remarks
Throughout this, President Barak Obama speaks of change. It’s difficult; however, it is possible with the help of the inhabitants that reside on this earth.
LINKS: