Michael Harrington, I think it was, used to say that nothing else is possible without full employment. Grand as it is, I think the statement is true. Still, it’s equally true that full employment isn’t possible without a sustainable environment. And we won’t have that if we can’t do something about the disruptions in the climate.
Yesterday, in Doha, Qatar, delegates from around the world began two weeks of negotiations over measures to address climate change. The meetings will end on December 7. The objective in Doha seems modest; it's simply to start discussion of a new legal structure under which countries would take actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The framework is to be completed by 2015.
The most interesting question for us is what approach the Obama administration will take. Especially, will there be consideration of a carbon tax? Will his reelection free the President to exercise leadership in this area? The U.S., China and India are the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide from fossil fuels. The success of these negotiations won't depend solely on the U.S., but it’s hard to imagine meaningful results unless we are in support.
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