For this week I will be analyzing the New York Times article, “W.H.O. members agree to begin talks on a global pandemic treaty.” In the 21st century climate change has become at the forefront of political and economic decisions including being a key issue among presidential candidate decisions.
It appears the World Health Organization is taking the charge to address the growing climate change worries in the near future. Their goal is to create a legally binding treaty of all 194 members of the World Health Organization to hold accountability in their effort for a cleaner future. The United States is against the legal action the W.H.O. presents but in favor of an established committee seeking a cleaner world. This could be because as of 2021, the United States is second behind China in global carbon emissions. Although the United States is pushing for cleaner energy with electric vehicle policy and tax breaks, it may not be able to reduce its emissions without an effect on production and their economy. The European Union and Britain also pushed for legal ramifications, but that could because they do not compare to other emission giants such as China, the United States and India. This falls along the lines with discussions we have had in class about sovereignty. The more multilateral organizations/treaties a country joins, the les sovereign they become.
The problem with climate change is once country can’t commit to be cleaner, while others do not. This push by the World Health Organization, if accepted by all countries, could make significant progress in global climate change. The biggest factor in all of this is China. According to a study in 2021, China lead the world in carbon emissions as of 2021 by double the next country. Like many other multilateral organizations there are legal repercussions stated, but not enforced. Unless China agrees to abide and adheres to the legal ramifications set by the W.H.O., the treaty will have minimal impact.
One reply on “Consalvo – Week 13”
Justin,
China is, indeed, a BIG part of the problem, given the size of its population and its continued reliance on coal for heating and cooking and the production of electricity. But don’t discount India as well. India has now surpassed China as having the largest population in the world (a dubious distinction), and it has terrible pollution problems. It, too, is heavily reliant on coal. Until these countries can shift to renewable energy sources and/or nuclear, there is little prospect of achieving a cleaner global environment. –Professor Wallerstein