Breaking the Suicide Pact: U.S.--China Cooperation on Climate Change


 

Publication Date: March 2008

Publisher: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Author(s): William Chandler

Research Area: Environment; Government

Type: Brief

Coverage: China

Abstract:

The United States and China must make accommodations to curb greenhouse gas emissions if both countries are to break thei "suicide pact" of self-destructive, energy-using behavior. Together they produce 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet both countries demand that the other take responsibility for climate change, meanwhile the threat of environmental disaster grows. For the first time, China is considering an emissions target while half of U.S. states have set their own targets--the time for a deal is now.