The Most Important Issue in Global Affairs Today: Global Climate Change
A new entry, from Joe Gurowsky:
As mentioned, there are various pressing issues that shape our studies in global affairs, but I believe Global Climate Change is the most significant. Global Climate Change is not constrained by borders, class, culture or ethnicity (even though much of the damage is a result of abuses from developed nations); it is truly a global challenge that needs to be confronted before we as a global citizenry continue down the slippery slope to chaotic events. The Earth is continually sending us warning signals — we need to heed these calls and appeal for policies to attempt to stem further devastation. We cannot sit back idly and watch from the sidelines anymore. As witnessed through increasingly severe weather, droughts, heat waves, ocean acidification, desertification, soil-erosion, population displacement and a slew of other disastrous consequences, our time to act effectively is slowly trickling away.
Unfortunately, the burden to make substantial policy changes is in the hands of political leaders who too often succumb to cowardly practices and politically expedient approaches. Too many of our representatives are afraid to make the tough choices necessary to curtail global climate change and are stuck in the cycle of further embedding the status quo. It is a sad reality that positioning for the next electoral cycle plays an integral factor before casting a vote. Such petty thievery was on display once again in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, chaired by Senator Boxer, where Senate Republicans threatened to boycott the markup of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. If there was ever a time for bipartisanship, this is it. A tough, binding mark is necessary to prove to the global community that the United States is serious in regards to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, at the current pace — due mainly to the opposition — it remains an idealistic wish to have such actions completed before the UN Climate Conference in December.
Let us assume for a minute that the U.S. arrives in Copenhagen with a new domestic policy. This will signify being fully at the table, unlike Kyoto. However, negotiating in Copenhagen, it will also be vital for the U.S. and other developed nations to agree to monetary payments to the developing nations to help adoption of the new targets that are sought to be reached in the outcome document. The developed nations are morally obligated to fulfill such measures due to its disproportionate contribution of greenhouse gases over the years.
The international community is anxiously seeking the United States’ commitment and leadership in sculpting a binding international document, which needs to include an enforcement mechanism, to confront global climate change. Will our leaders answer the call?
What do YOU think is the most important issue in global affairs today? Send your responses to pgi.editorial@gmail.com.