Climate Change Gets Its Due In The Democratic Debate

Indonesian officials are convinced that the country has plenty to gain from a highly anticipated global conference on climate change to be held in Paris in December, although they are aware that tough, politically charged negotiations lie in store at the convention.

But do the Democratic contenders have what it takes to fill Obama’s shoes, or preferably go up a few sizes?

Multiple peer-reviewed scientific studies show that 97%, or more, of actively publishing climate scientists agree that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, we will pass the threshold beyond which global warming becomes “severe, widespread and irreversible”.

Her closest rival Bernie Sanders said he agreed with Pope Francis, who called it a “moral issue”. “We can get there as a nation, but it’s going to require presidential leadership”. “That’s one way we can take action together to benefit our community and do what’s right for the climate”.

“Bellona finds hope in the fact that climate takes the center stage during the candidate debates and ahead of what might be the most important meeting in a generation”, said Engen.

The only other candidate to discuss energy policy in her introductory remarks was former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In case you missed the Democratic presidential candidates debating in the USA last night, here’s a quick rundown on what they said about climate change. “That is a major crisis”.

Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, former U.S. Senator from Virginia Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee chose not to address energy issues in their opening remarks, but further into the debate, the various approaches to energy policy among the candidates came into clearer view.

Eminent speakers included the French Ambassador Martine Dorance, EU Ambassador Jean-François Cautain, United Nations Resident Coordinator Neil Buhne, Member of National Assembly Standing Committee on Sustainable Development Goals Chairperson Marriyum Aurengzeb, Ministry of Climate Change Secretary Arif Ahmad Khan, representative of Foreign Affairs Ministry Tasneem Aslam and prominent voices from civil society also spoke on the occasion.

“The scientists are telling us that we need to move extremely boldly”, Sanders said. The world’s largest emitters (United States, China and India) have long signaled that they would not accept legally binding reductions. “We must get verifiable commitments form every country”, she said.

She noted that the meeting led to the first global agreement that China has signed on climate and gave credit to President Obama for taking the lead on this issue.

A declaration released yesterday by conference organisers also emphasises the need for a departure from capitalism; “In order to survive, humanity must free itself from capitalism.It is driving us towards a horizon of destruction, which promises a death sentence for nature and for life itself”.

As both a sustainability student and a millennial, Bettis explained climate change is on the forefront of her mind as she looks toward the future.