Hillary Clinton: America Must Lead at Paris Climate Talks

[brooklynite]

Time:

Climate change threatens every corner of our country, every sector of our economy and the health and future of every child. We are already seeing its impacts and we know the poorest and most vulnerable people in the United States and around the world will suffer most of all.

Despite the seriousness of the threat, the world has not always rallied to respond. For years, international negotiations were stymied by deep divisions between developed and developing nations, and by resistance on the part of the Chinese and others to taking responsibility for curbing carbon pollution. While President Obama has made strong progress cutting pollution and deploying more clean energy in the United States, he faces a Republican Party that alternates between denial of the reality of climate change, defeatism about our ability to do anything about it, and outright obstruction of the tools and programs we need to solve the problem.

But President Obama remains committed to making the United States the global leader in the fight against climate change—and so do I. In Paris this week, world leaders have the best chance in years to forge a new, durable, ambitious international climate agreement. I believe they must be guided by three principles. First, all countries must take responsibility for combating this global crisis, and put forward commitments to curb their own greenhouse gas emissions. Second, the agreement should galvanize financial assistance for, and spur private investment in, developing countries to help them adapt and achieve sustainable economic growth.

And finally, it must be an agreement that can be strengthened over time. Countries should agree to come together regularly to raise their collective ambition. In the years ahead, technology will improve and become even cheaper; more companies and investors will put skin in the game; and city and state leaders will take actions that outstrip the ambitions of their capitals. Solving the climate challenge for the long term will take more than the solutions we have in 2015—it will require the new tools we build together.

[DCBob]

1. Here's more..

As President, I will protect and build on the progress President Obama has made at home. I will set ambitious goals—to see 500 million solar panels installed within four years and enough renewable electricity to power every home in America within 10 years. I’ll also pursue a new North American Climate Compact, because the United States, Canada and Mexico should work together to build a clean energy future for our continent.

And the Republican deniers, defeatists and obstructionists should know—their cynical efforts will fail. Not only are they on the wrong side of science and of history, they are increasingly on the wrong side of their own voters, as a majority of Republicans accept the science of climate change, and support solutions like clean energy.

We must reject the false choice between combating climate change and fostering strong economic growth. If any country can prove that, it’s the United States. Under President Obama, we’re leading the world in the fight against climate change. I won’t let anyone to take us backward, deny our economy the benefits of harnessing a clean energy future, or force our children to endure the catastrophe that would result from unchecked climate change.

This is good stuff. I hope she can be more effective than President Obama has been although he still has some time to get something significant done. Perhaps the Paris conference will be the beginning of that.

[riversedge]

9. I think some states are finding they can do both--slow climate change and

create jobs. But so many Red states are just limping along. Take for instance my state of WI--Gov Walker has also put a stop to the Wind industry. He and Republicans put in laws to prevent any expansion of what was started several years ago. so sad.

[Doctor_J]

2. When did Sanders say this?

I can't remember the last time she made a proposal that wasn't either copied directly from Bernie, or a watered down version of such a thing.

[MBS]

5. Well, Obama and Kerry said this

Environmental issues have in fact been a hallmark of Kerry's career, and action on climate change is a priority of Obama's second term.
Thanks to the leadership of Obama and Kerry, we HAVE been leading in the climate talks.

[riversedge]

10. oh, for petey's sake. Not this crap again!!

[pinebox]

3. I guess that means backing TPP huh?

Give me a break, she should be the last person talking about environmental issues.

[MattSh]

4. No, America must step aside...

America has been the biggest contributor to the problem AND the biggest roadblock ensuring the problem does not get fixed. It's time for someone who is serious about fixing climate change to step to the plate. And it certainly ain't the USA>

[yeoman6987]

6. Who do you think pays money to this if we step aside?

Right. Nobody! Who pays super majority of UN? Yep. We do. There would be no UN without us. Just like there won't be climate change without our money.

[MattSh]

7. Well then, why didn't the USA start to pay this money...

when the problem first became obvious? Like 30 years ago.

Because they couldn't see the profit in it, then or now.

The USA has no intention to pay anything except lip service to climate change.

[yeoman6987]

8. Are you saying we haven't paid a ton toward climate change?

That would be wrong. We have.