Guest post by Robin Guenier
Although hardly any country of any significance is also doing so, the UK government seems determined to implement a “net-zero carbon by 2050” policy. Yet there was a time when those in power understood the illogicality of unilateral action.
For example:
1. In his Forward to a 2003 White Paper entitled “Our energy future – creating a low carbon economy” the Prime Minister (Tony Blair) said:
“And, because this country cannot solve this problem alone, we will work internationally to secure the major cuts in emissions that will be needed worldwide…. Our analysis suggests that, by working with others, the costs of action will be acceptable…”
From Chapter 2 (page 25) of the White Paper (item 2.10):
“Climate change is a global problem. It has to be tackled globally. The UK cannot solve this problem alone … UK emissions of carbon dioxide currently account for only 2% of the global total. Our own actions will have no impact on climate change unless they are part of a concerted international effort.”
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090609003228/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file10719.pdf
2. Nicholas Stern, in a letter to Gordon Brown dated 19 June 2006, said:
“Building international collective action is essential for an effective response. … This will necessitate early action by both developed and developing countries.” (Para. 2ii. – his emphases)
“The report will argue strongly that effective action against climate change requires a multilateral response, and that national policy should be seen in the light of its contribution to generating effective international action. The focus of our recommendations will be on options for global and EU action, not on unilateral UK policy matters.” (Para. 7)
3. The “Climate Change Act 2008 Impact Assessment” dated March 2009 included this comment (page 7, S2.):
“Where the UK acts alone, though there would be a net benefit for the world as a whole the UK would bear all the cost of the action and would not experience any benefit from reciprocal reductions elsewhere. The economic case for the UK continuing to act alone where global action cannot be achieved would be weak.”
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2009/70/pdfs/ukia_20090070_en.pdf
It’s extraordinary that our current “leaders” don’t understand this obvious truth.
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT
June 7, 2019 at 06:15AM
Iowa Climate Science Education 
Reblogged this on Climate- Science.
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