High-emission pathways are also high cost due to the destructive effects of climate change.
Washington, D.C. —(ENEWSPF)–November 21, 2016. While the United States held its turbulent presidential election, world leaders convened in Marrakech, Morocco, for the first U.N. climate summit since the adoption of the Paris Agreement. Uncertainty about whether the United States will honor its commitment to the pact became a central topic of discussion for the duration of the summit. At the same time, it became clear that world leaders will remain dedicated to the agreement regardless of U.S. participation. Today, the Center for American Progress released a column that explains the economic and diplomatic costs that the United States would face if it were to back out of its climate commitments.
“Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement would weaken the status of the United States, strengthen the voices of other powers, and damage the domestic economy,” said Gwynne Taraska, Associate Director of Energy Policy at CAP.
The Paris Agreement brought a shift in the geopolitics of climate change. New leaders and alliances are emerging, as countries—including fast-developing economies—seek to lead the clean energy movement. This movement has become truly global as it has become clear that carbon emissions cause soaring economic costs. Abdicating U.S. leadership in the clean energy movement would isolate the United States internationally and damage economic prosperity domestically, CAP’s column notes.
Read “As the Paris Era Begins, the United States Decides Between Influence and Irrelevance” by Gwynne Taraska and Howard Marano.
Source: http://americanprogress.org
