G. Kathleen Hill
As people around the globe observed Earth Day on Friday, world leaders made history at the United Nations in New York. Over 100 countries signed the Paris Agreement on climate change, representing their commitment to join it formally. This marks a turning point in the story of our planet and may set a record for the largest number of signers to an international agreement in a single day. Moreover, last month, President Obama announced with President Xi Jinping that our two countries would also sign the Paris Agreement on Earth Day and formally join this year. We are confident other countries will do so too, with the intention of bringing this historic and ambitious agreement into force as quickly as possible.
A greener future is already in sight. Leaders of countries and cities are adapting and innovating away from fossil fuels and business owners are investing in a clean energy economy. The United States is moving forward in its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions 26-28 per cent from 2005 levels by 2025. We are doing this through the strongest fuel economy standards in our history, through our 20-fold increase in solar generation since 2009, and through proposed rules on everything, from energy conservation standards for appliances to reduction in emissions of methane-rich gas from municipal solid waste landfills.
Research universities in my home state, Colorado, are leading the US contribution to global environmental initiatives. In 2014, the United States was selected as one of five international hubs for Future Earth, an ambitious 10-year research initiative to address global environmental change solutions and actions. The US hub is headquartered in Colorado and managed jointly by Colorado State University and the University of Colorado Boulder.
The Future Earth initiative builds on decades of global change research with a goal of linking scientists, decision makers and private sector to design and develop activities to deal with such change at local and regional levels. Future Earth is expected to mobilize roughly 60,000 scientists and students worldwide to work toward responding effectively to the risks and opportunities of global change and supporting transformation toward global sustainability. The research platform will engage scientists, decision makers, business leaders and other stakeholders to address mounting societal challenges of global environmental change.
Future Earth focuses on three major themes related to global change: better understanding the environmental and societal trends on the planet, including the anticipation of global risks; developing a sustainable, secure and fair stewardship of food, water, biodiversity, health and energy on Earth; and a transformation toward sustainability, with emphasis on new technologies and economic development appropriate to local communities.
While we are taking significant climate action domestically, the United States is also focused on international cooperation to address this global challenge. Our $500 million contribution last month to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) – the first tranche of the $3 billion US pledge to the GCF – will help developing countries reduce carbon emissions and prepare for climate impacts, while also advancing our commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals – another major landmark agreement the world came together around last year.
One of the most successful environmental agreements of all time is the Montreal Protocol, which is phasing out ozone depleting substances globally. It set the ozone layer on a path to recovery and prevented tens of millions of cases of skin cancer among other health, environmental, and economic benefits. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – which replace many of the ozone-depleting substances – do not harm the ozone layer, but they are greenhouse gases that in some cases can be thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide. The United States is working with partners to adopt an HFC phase-down amendment to the Montreal Protocol this year that could avoid half a degree Celsius of warming by the end of the century.
We also need international cooperation to change how we transport ourselves and goods. The aviation sector represents two per cent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The International Civil Aviation Organization is aiming to achieve carbon neutral growth for international aviation by 2020. The United States is committed to reaching an agreement on a global market-based measure that will help move the airline sector toward this ambitious goal.
The US Embassy here in Malta is a fine example of the US government’s commitment to serve as a responsible custodian of the land and a good neighbour. It is a LEED Silver certified “green” building. The Embassy incorporates the latest strategies for sustainable site development, water conservation, energy savings, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality to combine environmentally-sound practices with economic efficiency. We are currently completing the Embassy’s photovoltaic and wind turbine project, which will produce renewable energy year-round.
This Earth Day – with the signing of the Paris Agreement – is truly a cause for hope. It is also a reminder of our shared commitment to combat climate change. We must all seize the momentum from Paris to build a clean energy future for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.
Ms Hill is US Ambassador to Malta