Positive Peer Pressure from the European Union on Climate Change?

On 26 June 2009, the day the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) of 2009 was narrowly approved by the House of Representatives, President Obama, standing next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, openly admitted that the US lags behind Europe on climate change. Perhaps an understatement for those of us following the progress the European Union (EU) has made over the past few years. America's dawdling approach to tackling the climate crisis has forced others to step up to the challenge.

The world understands, just 6 months before the all-important UN climate change conference Dec. 7-18 in Copenhagen that real leadership in the fight against climate change must come, in part, from the United States. Yet even with the success of the ACES in the House of Representatives, the US must have, at least, a clear cap-and-trade law in place or else the chances for a global agreement in Copenhagen may collapse.

One hope is that Europe's strong commitment to the environment will act as an example for the US. Europe's go at it alone position in the fight against climate change may just act as the positive peer pressure the US needs to once again be a beacon of change in the world. As the world's second largest polluter behind China, the US has a responsibility to at least match the efforts of its European counterparts.

The 27-nation EU has agreed on what many are calling the 20-20-20 - a 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions, a 20% improvement in energy efficiency and 20% of energy to come from renewable sources, all by 2020. They have even upped the ante by indicating that it would raise its own targets for emissions cuts from 20% to 30% if other developing nations sign on.

That remains a big 'if'. In the US, the ACES must still meet the agreement of the Senate. Although this is likely to happen, the bill remains imperfect. Many environmentalists argue that the bill's aim to cut green house gases by 17% below the level in 2005 by 2020, is not only less than initially promised, but simply not enough in the face of such a crisis.

Even the EU's bold initiatives are not enough if they must continue to go at it alone. Their pledge to raise their already ambitious target to 30% if others sign on is a clear indication that the EU, not only means business, but that they clearly perceive this in less abstract terms than others around the globe.

Europe's decisions demonstrate their leadership and commitment in facilitating an agreement in Copenhagen. Many in the EU, citizens and politicians alike, understand that time is not on our side. Thus it is time for the United States to close the partisan divide on this issue and lay out clear initiatives like the EU.

As the President of the European commission recently stated, "Developed countries have a special responsibility to take the lead" on climate change. This may have been a plea to the US to pursue a global cooperative effort to prepare a better, cleaner world for future generations.

image taken from: www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/g