International Institutions - Climate Change

CLIMATE CHANGE USA - currently one of the largest CO2 producers, domestic public polarisation, senate and house intransigence, difficulty in bringing much to the table AUSTRALIA - one of the world's most intensive CO2 per-head, domestic public ambivalence, problematic intra- and inter- party politics, complicated tie-in with the Chinese coal market UK - historically the world's greatest producer of CO2, domestic public indifference, limited cross-party consensus, complex position in the EU EU - large net historic contribution to CO2 emissions, extreme country variability, limited ability to manage internal division, limited ability to present unified external face CHINA - one of the worlds largest CO2 producers , one of the countries worst affected, growth heavily in coal and oil dependent, flag-bearer for developing nations RUSSIA & SAUDI - first and second largest oil exporters, Saudi the most intensive CO2 per head, potentially fragile domestic politics Almost complete scientific consensus that the globe is warming and humans greatly input 'NIMTO' - not in my term of office Fossil fuel industries in the firing line with climate change (threatens their profit and business model), behind lots of scepticism on climate change EXTERNALITY - cost on environment not reflected on the price of the product (petrol) Regulation on products: 'thin edge to a communist wedge' - Fredrick Singer Corporate PR 'prostitute': astro-turfing, planting fake 'grass roots' Prof. Ian Plimer - coal mining geologists NOT climate change expert Anglo-Saxon world (US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ): big movers and shakers in climate conferences All inhabit planet that is affected by climate change, 'common' problem Developed countries benefit more by burning fossil fuels much more than un-developed countries - differentiated 200 cubic tonnes of fossil fuels burnt in China/India per day