US Can Meet Paris Climate Deal Goals Despite Court Ruling: White House

Almost 200 countries reached an historic agreement in December to reduce carbon emissions. The Obama administration imposed limits on power plants’ carbon emissions, but the US Supreme Court “took the unusual step to delay implementation of the Clean Power Plan until legal challenges to the regulation are completed,” reports Reuters. A Los Angeles Times editorial was blunt, suggesting “What's needed is an even higher sense of urgency, not obstructionist moves based on politics.” Scientific research increasingly describes climate change as real, dangerous and manmade; polls suggest that a majority of US citizens agree, but gerrymandered districts, special interests and unlimited campaign financing – which go unblocked by the court – are hamstringing the United States in working with other nations to resolve pressing global problems. The White House offers assurances that the country will not abandon the climate agreement. States can move forward on the Clean Power Plan on their own, and higher fuel-efficiency standards and extension of clean energy tax credits will help the United States meet its promises. – YaleGlobal