China, US should match climate talk with action

A colleague has a new baby son called Su Jiayang named by joining the surnames of both parents. Roughly translated it means "Su plus Yang". An elegant idea, much more so than "Chi-merica", coined to describe the interdependent relationship between China and the United States. Yet the importance of the relationship between the two nations, between the Chinese and American people, and between both presidents cannot be ignored - especially when dealing with the issue of our time, global warming.

Early this week US President Obama will gather together representatives of the 16 major economies for talks on climate change and energy to help pave the way for a successful UN climate agreement in Copenhagen in December. Those invited to this meeting, termed the Major Economies Forum, include Australia, the EU, Germany, Japan, Russia and China.

For decades, the world has watched Washington ignore both climate change and the energy crisis, threatening not only its own economy and security, but also the economies and security of all nations. This attitude has also threatened the planet that supports us. The United States has not been alone in this cavalier attitude. Few nations on earth have responded to the seriousness of global warming. The size and power of the US has made their past attitude all the more serious.

Now there is no doubt that the US and President Obama are moving ahead quickly. For example, in the last month, the Global Wind Energy Council released data confirming that the US is now the world's No 1 wind energy nation, the US EPA acknowledged that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, and the first comprehensive energy and climate bill, The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, was released for comment.

President Obama appears to have broken this decade-long trend of neglect. He has committed the US to a comprehensive clean energy plan and world leadership that will generate green jobs, reduce dependence on oil, and reduce carbon pollution worldwide.

President Obama is helping put climate on the agenda of every major world leader. The global consensus on the need to address global warming has finally reached the highest levels of government. This is exactly what is needed; the personal engagement of world leaders to reach a global climate deal.

World leaders should confirm their attendance at the Climate Summit that the UN plans to convene in September at the time of the UN General Assembly. They should also agree to meet in Copenhagen in December to provide the ultimate political leadership needed to make sure the UN negotiations succeed.

The countries attending the Major Economies Forum are in a position to help resolve critical sticking points on key issues and jump start the global talks aimed at reducing the effects of global warming and creating a global clean energy economy.

To avoid the worst impact of global warming, the US and other industrialized countries need to sharply reduce emissions and developing countries need to act to decrease pollution as they grow their economies and reduce poverty.

Any deliberations on Capitol Hill have an impact beyond America's borders. The more the US can do, the more other nations can do as well. The same is true for China. China is now seen as a key trendsetting leader, not only in the region but also globally. Multilateral coordination on climate will be rendered ineffective without meaningful action from both nations.

Both President Hu Jintao and President Obama have been given an extraordinary opportunity as leaders. They have the chance to leave a remarkable legacy: one of climate protection as well as a stronger, greener and more sustainable economy. As a result, we hope that both nations will spend much of the 21st century competing to be the world's superpower in terms of energy efficiency designs and technologies as well as a superpower in terms of renewable energy.

Su Jiayang, who represents the hopes and dreams of his parents, will have to live with the consequences of decisions made this year by both leaders. This year, let us all work toward a legacy of climate protection and sustainable economy, a legacy that will move us away from climate catastrophe.

The author is Climate and Energy Campaign Advisor of Green Peace China

(China Daily 04/27/2009 page2)