The Paris Agreement is an idea that almost 200 countries signed in 2015 to combat climate change. Its goal, we were told, was to intensify actions to decrease carbon emissions….to save the planet. And we’re on the clock…12 years. It required the signers to put forth their “best efforts.” It was legally binding with promises of complete transparency and updates every 2 years. Among other benefits would be increased job opportunities and a decrease in the cost of health care. And, of course, in 2017, Trump removed us from this promise of the best of all possible worlds.
Have no fear. Recently unity Joe put us back in. Unfortunately, like all the other EOs, this one is bad for American taxpayers, American business, American energy companies, and every American who depends on reliable, affordable energy. Today, not in 10 years, there is no cost effective way to produce or store renewable energy. Turning away from fossil fuel will cost 100s of 1000s of jobs, create random shortages, rolling blackouts, and increase the $ dramatically. Texas should be the warning. Renewables are great as long as it’s sunny and windy and ok as long as you don’t mind 5 figure electric bills. Well, the price may be high, but what about the global benefits, you ask?
“We could go to zero tomorrow and the problem would not be solved.” John Kerry (energy czar) at a press conference 1/27/21. Click HERE to watch
Today, the only ones who benefit are those who continue to produce coal, oil and gas, and lie about it.
As usual, in any deal, the devil is in the details:
- Each country sets its own goals
- Compliance is voluntary because there is no realistic oversight
- There are no penalties for non-compliance
- The largest producers of fossil fuel, China and India, are excused from the deal until 2030
- The agreement promises transparency. Hmmm, really?……from Russia, China, OPEC, and Iran. What could go wrong?
- A French court has recently exposed France as already being non-compliant. The lack of outrage is deafening.
- Some say the Paris Agreement rises to the level of a legally binding treaty……where you set your own goals and rules, where there is no oversight or penalty for violation, where there is no tangible benefit, I would argue it is not even an agreement!
I have been asked “don’t you want to save the planet, clean energy?” No! I want my water to look like skim milk and I want to see the air I breathe. Sorry, I can only stand so much stupidity. One day someone will figure out a way to make renewables efficient and cost effective. But today is not the day. There is no practical, sensible way to convert.
“There is nothing more likely to start disagreement among people or countries than agreement.” -EB White
