Perspectives: Leaders Talk Climate Change At G20 Summit
Summary from the AllSides News Team
The Group of 20's leaders' summit ended Sunday with an agreement to take "meaningful and effective actions" to limit the harmful effects of climate change.
The leaders released a statement affirming their commitment to capping the average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of the century. The scientific consensus among climate experts is that if the average global temperature rises another 1.5 degrees Celsius — 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit — it will significantly increase the likelihood of climate catastrophes that "could exacerbate hunger, disease and conflict." The group also pledged to stop financing international coal projects by the end of the year, but avoided discussions about terminating coal power in their own nations. The G20 group, which consists of 19 countries and the European Union, accounts for 80% of the world's emissions.
Coverage of the summit was more prominently featured in left-rated outlets. Most voices across the spectrum seemed to agree that the group "struggled to make progress on key issues" and highlighted the disappointment of many activists that felt the leaders failed to build up momentum for the two-week COP26 climate summit that launched Sunday in Glasgow. Left-rated voices noted the absence of any discussions about reaching net zero by 2050 and criticized the joint statement from G20 leaders "because it only echoed pledges that were already made by China." Some right-rated voices emphasized how many Americans say they care about climate change "until it comes time to pay for climate policy," indicating that they won't support higher energy costs.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
G-20 summit fails to bridge divides on pandemic and climate change
Jetting across the Atlantic Ocean a few days ago aboard Air Force One for two international summits, one of President Biden's top aides seemed pleased that China and Russia wouldn't be attending.
Without them, it will be "the U.S. and Europe together driving the bus on the significant global issues," national security advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters.
But even if they're at the wheel, it's been a bumpy ride. Despite Biden's success at patching up disputes with allies like France and the European Union, new fissures are spreading across the...
From the Center
G20 pledge climate action but make few commitments
The leaders of the world's richest economies have agreed to pursue efforts to limit global warming with "meaningful and effective actions".
But the agreement from the G20 summit in Rome made few concrete commitments, disappointing activists.
Host nation Italy had hoped that firm targets would be set before the COP26 summit in Glasgow, which has now begun.
UK PM Boris Johnson, who is hosting COP26 said leaders' promises without action were "starting to sound hollow".
"These commitments... are drops in a rapidly warming ocean," Mr Johnson said.
The G20 group, made...
From the Right
The Empty Spectacle of the U.N. Climate-Change Summit
As President Joe Biden limps into Glasgow, there are only two things holding back his big, showy climate agenda: politics and economics.
If you happen to be one of those people who insists that climate change should be “beyond politics,” then you are certainly entitled to the sentiment — but spare us any lectures about “democracy” in the future, because politics is how liberal-democratic societies go about their public business.
And the politics here do not favor dramatic action, whatever is said or notionally agreed to in Glasgow.
Joe Biden and...
AllSides Picks
April 19th, 2024
April 19th, 2024
April 19th, 2024
April 19th, 2024
More News about Climate Change from the Left, Center and Right
From the Left
From the Center
From the Right
