Is the G-8 emissions agreement a significant step towards reduced emissions?
World leaders on Tuesday endorsed halving world emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 but stopped short of tough, nearer-term targets. The G-8 leaders are calling this a significant step forward in the battle to stem the potentially dangerous rise in world temperature. However, many critics disagree, saying that the leaders need to set aggressive near term goals to begin moving down the path of reduced emissions. What do you think?
Yes, this is significant
Side Score: 20
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No, it's insufficient
Side Score: 29
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The agreement is insufficient for a few key reasons. First, they neglected to set a reference date by which the emissions will be halved. Saying that you will cut emissions in half from an unknown starting point makes no sense. Second, they did not set any near term goals that will show significant steps towards the goal that is 42 years away. That is effectively "putting off" the problem for future generations to handle. Finally, China and India, the two fastest growing economies and major contributors of the world's pollution aren't even in the G8 so they are not held to this accord. Posted 147 days ago | Tagged As: Another stall tactic
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