Idea of the Day: Lead Efforts to Advance International Global Warming Policies

July 23, 2008

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Global warming is obviously an international problem that requires concerted action by all countries. The United States needs to reclaim the lead in global efforts to combat climate change by getting our own house in order while simultaneously joining current international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This means creating an E-8 of nations comprised of leading developed and developing countries devoted to addressing global ecological and resource issues. And it means taking the lead once again in the U.N. Framework Convention for Climate Change, where the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 on reducing greenhouse gas emissions was first enacted—without U.S. support. As a component of these efforts, the United States must also invest in the energy, environment, and infrastructure sectors in developing nations to alleviate energy poverty with low-carbon energy systems and to help these nations adapt to the effects of climate change.

For more information on this topic, please see:

• Capturing the Energy Opportunity: Creating a Low-Carbon Economy by John Podesta, Todd Stern, and Kit Batten