We anticipate that this news will have important implications for the clean cookstove and efficient charcoal production industry in the developing world.
This item comes to us via EESI.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the formation of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, a coalition of nations to curb climate change and reduce air pollution by reducing short-lived pollutants. In conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme, the United States, Bangladesh, Canada, Mexico, Sweden and Ghana are launching a global drive to curb black carbon (soot), methane and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). “We know that in the principal effort necessary to reduce the effects of carbon dioxide, the world has not yet done enough . . . So when we discover effective and affordable ways to reduce global warming — not just a little, but by a lot — it is a call to action for all of us,” said Clinton.
Reductions in short-lived pollutants, which are responsible for more than a third of global warming, could reduce the warming expected by 2050 by 0.5 °C, and avoid millions of premature deaths and avoid the loss of 30 million tons of crops annually by 2030. “This is very much in the win-win category — good on climate at the same time that it’s good on health, food production and energy . . . It’s not a negotiation over who takes what targets but a voluntary partnership aimed at producing tangible results in a relatively short period of time,” said Todd D. Stern, the State Department’s special envoy for climate change. The efforts will complement, not replace, global efforts to reduce CO2 by working with existing organizations and “driving the development of national action plans and the adoption of policy priorities; building capacity among developing countries; mobilizing public and private funds for action; raising awareness globally; fostering regional and international cooperation, and; improving scientific understanding of the pollutant impacts and mitigation.” The United States will contribute $12 million and Canada $3 million over two years to start the program and to help recruit other countries to participate.
In related news, the climate change coalition led by the United States is being welcomed, but with reservations, by some climate scientists and environmental groups. There is concern the agreement could give the impression enough is being done to prevent climate change. A recent study shows a reduction in short term GHGs will only delay global warming, not prevent it. The study, released in January in the journal Science, finds that implementing the recommended measures for methane and black carbon will slow global warming, but reductions in CO2 will be more effective in the long-run. The World Wildlife Fund said the agreement “shifts the focus” to developing countries and allows the United States and Canada to not reduce CO2 emissions.
For additional information see: AFP, Politico, New York Times, Washington Post, BBC, Huffington Post, Science, Press Release
English 
French 
All right!
But why US, which was the most important country responsible of climate change, addresses to reduce only one third of climate effects of greenhouse gas emissions?
Why US does remain unable to convince people around the world that they America is actually involved to curb climate change, in joining the Kyoto protocol, or possibly by a more efficent way?
I am sad to see a nation which had leadership to behave so that it is losing it.
Jean-Luc,
It’s really all about politics. The majority of the American people believe in CC and agree that something needs to be done. The problem is that we are in an election year and the conservatives are looking for any chink in Obama’s armor to attack him. Kyoto and sweeping legislation to cut C02 emissions would be seen as “job killers.” And in this atmosphere, all anyone politician cares about is showing that he’s doing something about the economy. Tackling black carbon is not the silver bullet to arrest CC but at least it’s one thing that can be done. Let’s hope Obama will be emboldened to take greater action on CC in his second term.
Thanks for commenting!
Kim