The Problem with Climate Treaties

          The problem with climate treaties is they don’t work. Look at the last few treaties to be signed, Kyoto for example. Europe, Russia and a few other countries signed this treaty that was supposed to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions from their present levels to 1990 levels. The problem is that most of the countries were not able to do it. It’s the same problem each time. People need oil, coal and natural gas to live. These fossil fuels are used in electrical production, transportation and manufacturing.

          Oh don’t get me wrong, there have been many breakthroughs that have allowed renewable energy forms to take off, like wind. Wind which is now almost as low as fossil fuels, by kilowatt hour, to charge, is popping up all over the United States. What was once the mantra build it and they will come is now, for wind power, build it and now they won’t mind the extra cost of money to supply.

          The only problem with Wind power is that it looks weird. It can’t be made to look like a tree like cell phone towers. So it stands on the horizon and to some people looks weird. There are fights to keep wind power away from certain places like the coast line. But for all its problems Wind Power seems to be the future of renewable energy. That and Solar. The problem with solar lie in its location. They need to be built out in our numerous deserts away from population’s centers. So you have to run hundreds of miles of wire from the middle of now where to cities. Regardless of this Solar and wind have a bright future.

But I am getting off target. What I meant to talk about is the fact that while we here in the US and in certain countries are trying to curb Greenhouse gases China and other countries are continuing to build more coal power plants.

So while we are curbing our emissions. They are just being replaced by China and other countries. To be fair China also wants to build some nuclear plants which hopefully will reduce the need for coal in the short term.

But think of the statistics: a couple of billion Chinese, each one wanting the American lifestyle. And what is the American lifestyle? The freedom to drive their gas cars, live in Air Conditioning in the summer, or heat in the winter.

 The US has 330 million people? China and these other developing countries have 1 billion + people. I think you can see where I am going. If The US reduces its emissions China and other developing countries will just take their place. So that’s why I believe Climate treaties don’t work, because you need the whole world government’s agreement not just a few. So as our president has said we will hopefully become the leader in renewable energy and sell it to developing countries. The problem though is do we have the time?