COP21: ‘Better late than never’
The climate change agreement between 195 nations, signed in Paris over the weekend, sparked a flurry of editorial debates around the world B randing the deal a “document built on hope”, the Los Angeles Times said in an editorial: “Negotiators agreed in Paris on Saturday to a set of principles and goals that could ratchet back the pace of global warming. Whether the world’s nations can work together to meet the accord’s stated goal of limiting the rise of global temperatures to well below 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels — the point beyond which many scientists believe catastrophic climate change will occur — will be the challenge, even as many scientists and environmentalists question whether the pact’s aspirational target of 1.5 degrees Celsius is low enough.”
The USA Today commended the international community for ultimately reaching a deal and said: “In today’s fractious world, getting 195 nations to agree on anything, even whether the sun rises in the east, isn’t easy. So, in many ways, the climate change deal that emerged from Paris represents a remarkable achievement on behalf of humanity.”
However, on the same vein of scepticism sweeping much of global media, the newspaper said in an editorial: “In the best-case scenario, the Paris accord will evolve like the competition between countries, and increasingly across regions, to sign new free trade agreements.”
The Guardian, meanwhile, took a broader perspective on the deal: “In the late 20th century, those who stood against globalisation were charged with swimming against an unstoppable tide... But in the 21st century, history is running with the anti-globalisers... Figures as diverse as Donald Trump, Nicola Sturgeon and Marine Le Pen are all peddling one form of nationalism or another.” Against such a backdrop, the newspaper said: “The Paris COP21 talks surpassed expectations, demonstrating just how much can be achieved by determined diplomacy, even while working within the unbending red lines of jealously sovereign states”.
Commenting on the impact of the farreaching deal on Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald said: “The economic cost of the Paris deal will be felt particularly keenly in Australia. Our reliance on the export of fossil fuels will need to be reduced over time. Our use of old-style coal-fired power plants for energy generation is not viable...” The paper, however, welcomed the deal and said: “Far better late than never, the climate for change among most individuals and the vast majority of nations has morphed into a historic agreement.”