Representatives of 192 nations are preparing to descend on Denmark in mid-December to talk about global climate change, its causes, the solution to the problem and a binding international treaty to enforce and fund the agreement.
But we believe there are too many questions unanswered to commit to what is dubbed the “Copenhagen Treaty.”
The clear intent behind current draft documents for the treaty is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by industrialized countries, provide financial support to developing countries to help limit their emissions, and to create a multinational organization to control the money exchanged in the process.
In our view, we should take care of business at home before joining the international coalition. The effects of man-made emissions on global climate and the actions needed to reduce such effects is an unsettled political issue both domestically and internationally. Even the science is unsettled.
How big the problems are and how drastic the actions must be to remedy them is a huge debate without clear answers. We need solid science and good answers before we enter into international agreements.
Until the new administration, Congress, emitters of greenhouse gas and the American people demonstrate the political will to embrace the steps necessary at home to cut harmful emissions, how can we expect other countries to do the same? We challenge representatives of President Barack Obama’s administration at the upcoming summit to negotiate in good faith, look for areas on which we can build climate consensus with other industrialized nations, and set attainable goals for reducing our own emissions before moving toward an international accord.
Yvo De Boer, a Dutch diplomat who heads up the United Nations climate secretariat, was quoted Tuesday in a New York Times column as saying, “There isn’t sufficient time to get the whole thing done.” But, he added, he hoped the meeting would “go well beyond simply a declaration of principles.” Boer said he hopes the Copenhagen meeting would lay “groundwork for a ratifiable agreement next year.”
We would caution that bypassing American political consensus on this issue through the use of an international treaty, until we get our own house in order, is the wrong approach.
Opinion
Related Photos
Discussion
In Our View: Not the time for climate treaty
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Santorum's Achilles' ear
Rick Santorum knocked everyone for a loop this week, not just with his victory in Missouri but with the landslide size of the thing.
-
Our View: Are school loans next 'debt bomb'?
The late American middle class struggled for decades to keep pace with an American dream slipping from its grasp.
-
Our View: A better way of limit terms
A Missouri House committee on Tuesday endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to serve 16 years in the state Legislature, either the House or the Senate.
-
Your View: Is it our fault?
When did coveting things and money take over character? What happened?
-
Your View: No way to run a school
All throughout the state of Missouri, you’ll hear much discussion about teacher tenure and the indefinite contracts that go along with that. Most — if not nearly all — jobs in the private and public sectors have no such career protection.
-
Your View: Prime suspects
If it’s too cool in the house, you can turn up the heat if you think you can afford it.
-
Our View: Worldwide concern
There is growing concern worldwide that Israel might launch an attack on Iranian nuclear plants.
-
Other Views: FAA deal up in air five years
The Federal Aviation Administration bill was delayed 23 times, but the agency finally has a law giving it $63 billion and full operating authority for the next four years.
-
Don Ray, columnist: Obama's pipeline excuse an election-year cop-out
On Jan. 18, President Barack Obama announced he was rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline project — a project that had its beginnings some 40 months ago (September 2008).
-
James Whitford, guest columnist: Broken people or broken system?
Are the people broken or is the system broken? If you walk into Watered Gardens, our rescue mission, it may seem the people are broken. But it’s a rescue mission. It just feels that way. And sometimes, it just looks that way.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
