Here is an article about behind the scenes meetings between the U.S. and China, aimed at coming to an agreement to partner to solve the global warming problem. One person said they might even come up with something by this fall. The fact that the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, who seemed to be playing "chicken" with each other during the Bush administration are now possibly on the verge of cooperating is a huge change for the better. James Hansen said we needed to start making big changes this year, or it would be too late to prevent a global cataclysm. It looks like there is still a chance we can pull it off if these talks succeed. We will have to see what the agreement is, and what actually gets done, and then only time will tell if it will be enough.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/18/secret-us-china-emissions-talks
Addendum 9/13/2001: Unfortunately, the climate bill the House passed this year has very anemic reduction target of 3.6% by 2020, about a tenth of what the IPCC said is needed. It also has a provision that would remove the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gasses. Apparently the fossil fuel industry didn’t like the idea of the executive branch making larger cuts than the easily-controlled Congress. If this bill passes as is, it would be a disaster. Despite all the science and the pleadings from climate scientists like James Hansen, Congress seems determined to sacrifice our future in exchange for more corporate profits for their corporate donors. So much for an agreement with China. If the administration manages to get a good agreement, it would be meaningless without the authority to reduce greenhouse gases.
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