It wasn't the exact number wanted by much of the world but China's pledge to control its greenhouse gases is a step in the right direction. The Chinese government won't say how much it would cut emissions by a certain date. It only said it would cut pollution in proportion to the overall size of its economy.
The announcement, before next month's United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen, follows a similar announcement by the U.S. President Barack Obama. Now, the world's top two polluters are on record as being committed to reducing carbon emissions that most scientists say cause global emissions.
Mr. Obama, who plans to attend the conference, has pledged to reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by about 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, according to USA Today. Three other nations -- Brazil, South Korea and Russia -- have also made pledges in advance of the Copenhagen summit.
By cutting emissions as a percentage of economic growth, China could actually pollute more before it pollutes less. Its economy is expected to grow substantially by 2020. The target is to cut emissions as a percentage of economic output by 40 percent to 45 percent before 2020, compared to 2005 levels.
China could achieve its goal by closing more of its coal-fired energy plants. They now produce about 70 percent of their energy needs with coal and have pledged to ensure that non-fossil fuel power accounts for 15 percent of their energy consumption by 2020.
Opinion
China's emissions pledge a step in right direction
- Opinion
-
-
‘Flavor of the month’
State Republicans have invited all of the GOP presidential candidates to Oklahoma. Former candidate Herman Cain came to Oklahoma City in early December, just days after he suspended his campaign. Rick Santorum brought his charged-up ...
-
Gov. Fallin says tax cuts bring national attention
Rating agencies are often courted by state, county and local officials seeking better ratings and thus lower interest costs on long-term debt financed through bonds. Oklahoma’s governor and other officials called on various agencies this ...
-
AA’s decision a blow to Tulsa
The announcement by American Airlines that it will likely lay off almost a third of its Tulsa work force is terrible news. Looking for the bright side, the huge Tulsa maintenance facility will keep almost 70 percent of its employees ...
-
Oklahoma kids rank low
Oklahoma kids continue to rank low in terms of poverty, health, child welfare, early childhood development and hunger....
-
Schools deserve best equipment, teachers
A candidate at a state Senate forum this past week repeated the oft-made comment that Oklahoma has too many school districts. We agree some consolidation is needed, and it’s happening. But the candidate went beyond that and said we don’t ...
-
Thanks from our readers
Oklahoma senators serving on the finance committee wisely killed a bill that would effectively tax newspaper and magazine subscribers. It came up on the session’s first full day of work and was quickly dispatched by a 13-1 vote....
-
Independent group needed
Editor, The Transcript: I wanted to write a letter a long time ago, but Ms. Rogers’ letter claiming that “Chromium levels in the water shouldn’t cause alarm” pushed me over the edge. As an environmental professional in Oklahoma, I have ...
-
Governor, chancellor push higher grad rates
Oklahoma has long had college students who leave campus before finishing their degrees. They leave to take jobs in order to support families, they get behind in studies and don’t see a way out, or they just need a break. Additionally, some ...
-
Quitting should be smokers’ choice
The Jan. 29 editorial “The high cost of tobacco” claimed that tobacco use costs Oklahomans a lot of money, but it did not disclose the fact that tobacco use produces a lot of money for Oklahomans, which — in the interest of being fair — ...
-
A turning point in Oklahoma’s health
The governor’s announcement of a tobacco ban on any state-owned or leased properties may be a turning point in the state’s push for better health. We’re currently ranked 48th in the United Health Foundation rankings. We made some progress, ...
- More Opinion Headlines
-
‘Flavor of the month’
