House to Move to Block Emission Rules

Throughout the floor debate Democrats mocked Republicans who they said were “in denial” about the science and impact of climate change. Garcetti will attend the Thursday and Friday portion of the conference.

Climate negotiators in Paris are drawing close to resolving one of the sticking points for a breakthrough emissions pact by favouring a five-year review period on promised greenhouse gas cuts, a top official said on Wednesday.

A majority of Republicans in Congress deny the existence of climate change or oppose action on it. In the run-up to Paris, and while Obama has been at the summit, Republicans in Congress have repeatedly threatened to block climate aid to developing countries.

“We are on the brink of a suicide, to use a strong word, and I am sure that most of those at the COP have this conscience, and want to do something”, Pope Francis said.

Ultimately, developed nations like the United States must transition away from fossil fuels if they wish to substantially curb greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Paris outcome must provide clarity on the level of financial support that will be provided by developed country parties”, the G77 and China group of 134 developing nations said in a statement to the 195-nation climate forum.

Almost 140 world leaders have confirmed their attendance at the opening day of the two-week U.N. Climate Change conference, even after the November 13 attacks by Islamic State militants in Paris, Reuters reported. “We’ve multiplied wind power threefold, and solar power more than twentyfold, helping create parts of America where these clean power sources are finally cheaper than dirtier, conventional power”.

But the crowning achievement here – a global climate change deal has yet to be announced.

In those same remarks, Obama said of the Republicans: “Right now, I’m going to try to stay out of the campaign season … partly because I can’t keep track of all the candidates …”

For many GOP policymakers, there’s a realization that the campaign is likely to come up short – a global deal to combat the climate crisis may come together whether Republican climate deniers like it or not – which is why some conservative lawmakers continue to search for ways to kill the deal, if one ultimately comes together.

And US president Barack Obama pledged emission cuts of about 27 percent below 2005 levels. “Because we’re the largest country, because we have the most powerful military, we should welcome the fact that we’re going to do more – and oftentimes we’re going to do it first”.

His comments echoed the findings of a Pentagon report released a year ago that said climate change posed an immediate threat to national security.

“As the president urges action to fulfill his personal climate legacy in Paris, the American people and their representatives in Congress have strongly voiced opposition to any deal that is reached and will not tolerate American tax dollars being used for an economically disastrous policy”, Inhofe said.