President Obama announced Saturday the United States will contribute $3 billion to an effort to fight climate change.
The donation is going to an international fund with the intention to aid the world’s poorest countries in addressing the effects of climate change, according to the New York Times.
This announcement was made at a summit meeting of 20 industrial powers in Brisbane, Australia, and came on the heels of another stunning reveal: the U.S. and China are coming together to jointly curb greenhouse gas emissions throughout the course of the next 10 years.
Initially, the news is thrilling.
At long last, perhaps, the horrifying reality of irreversible climate change has reached a point so dramatic it demands the attention of even the most stubborn, short-sighted politicians.
One would hope the $3 billion Obama has designated for supporting the world’s poorest nations in their efforts to contribute to the global ecosystem rather than destroy it will also stimulate those nations’ economies.
This would hopefully result in wealthier planet-conscious countries providing funds, as well.
Alas, it seems these hopes are to remain hopes.
The U.S.‘s contribution seems less powerful in comparison to Samsung’s recent announcement of plans to build a $3 billion factory for a new smartphone in Vietnam.
If Samsung can drop that kind of change on a factory, how much difference is the U.S.’s donation really making?
In many ways, this ?“solution” is consistent with Obama’s recent mode of operation.
As we saw with the “It’s On Us” campaign to end sexual assault on college campuses, our nation’s leader clearly prefers raising awareness about an issue rather than passing effective legislation or ?enacting any sort of lasting change.
The comparison to Samsung highlights the money’s insignificance.
In light of that revelation, it seems Obama was likely motivated more by spite for the midterm election’s spectacular failure than concern for the ?environment.
This huge contribution reads like a thumbed-nose to the Republican House and newly Republican Senate — it’s Obama’s way of reminding us he’s still president for a short while yet and can give $3 billion to fight climate change if he wants to.
The headline “U.S. contributes billions to fight climate change” has a glorious ring to it but pales in comparison to both the magnitude of the issue at stake and the global significance of the amount.
Per usual, Obama is thinking in the right direction but lacks the gumption or legislative power to make a significant, lasting change.
The idea of stimulating poorer countries and encouraging their green efforts with contributions to a general international fund is terrific in theory but needs to be a stronger weapon for such a ?formidable foe.
sbkissel@indiana.edu
