Washington Post Says Time is Now for Emissions Reduction Plan

The Washington Post, in an editorial published today, said with three weeks until the Copenhagen talks on climate change, the Obama administration should take a leadership role in making the commitment to reduce emissions. Wrote the Post: "The United States is the only developed country that has yet to announce a carbon target, even as developing economies such as Brazil have unveiled mitigation policies. China, meanwhile, has talked of a significant reduction in the carbon intensity of its industry, and Tuesday's joint statement indicates it might enshrine that in an international agreement--a big step that probably depends on American movement."

The Post wrote that even Congress cannot come to grips with a target that is broadly acceptable and in many ways remains hung-up on how to match U.S. efforts in the world marketplace with the potential damage to the economy. Wrote the Post: "As Mr. Obama indicated in Beijing, identifying or building the institutions necessary to do such things could begin immediately after Copenhagen--if the parties can agree. Carbon reduction commitments that are contingent on the action of others might kick in. And big developing nations might put specific promises on the table or even agree to enter their commitments into an international legal framework. Mr. Obama could bring all of that home and claim that the United States got something in return for announcing a target--something U.S. negotiators couldn't claim after the 1997 Kyoto negotiations."