Daily Current Affairs : 17-November-2023
The United States and China recently unveiled a groundbreaking agreement aimed at significantly increasing clean energy, displacing fossil fuels, and mitigating the harmful emissions responsible for global warming. Together, these two nations contribute a staggering 38% of the world’s greenhouse gases, making their collaboration a crucial development in the fight against climate change.
Key Details:
- Greenhouse Gas Impact: The U.S. and China jointly account for 38% of global greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the substantial role they play in climate change.
Significance:
- Global Leadership: By committing to substantial reductions in fossil fuel emissions, the world’s top two polluters set a precedent for other nations to follow suit. This agreement may pave the way for a more unified global effort to combat climate change.
About the Climate Deal:
- Renewable Energy Boost: The countries have pledged to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, with a focus on replacing coal, oil, and gas generation. Both nations are optimistic about achieving significant power sector emission reductions in the coming decade.
- Comprehensive Emission Reduction Targets: In their upcoming climate pledges, the U.S. and China will establish reduction targets for all greenhouse gases, encompassing not only carbon dioxide but also methane, nitrous oxide, and other warming agents. China’s commitment to addressing methane, a major contributor to warming, is particularly noteworthy.
Challenges:
- Criticism on Pace: Critics argue that progress remains insufficient, emphasizing the urgent need for more rapid global action to combat climate change.
- Unclear Commitments: The agreement lacks clarity on decisive actions to displace fossil fuels, with no explicit commitment to phase down oil and gas emissions. Additionally, there is no assurance from China regarding the phasing out of coal or a halt to new coal plant permits.
- Fossil Fuel Transition: Scientists emphasize the crucial necessity of an immediate reduction in fossil fuel use to prevent further catastrophic warming. The agreement falls short of addressing the imperative to swiftly transition away from fossil fuels, a critical topic at the upcoming COP28 summit.
Important Points:
Significance:
- Potential for global impact: Leadership from the world’s top two polluters could inspire other nations to address climate change.
About the Climate Deal:
- Triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030 to replace coal, oil, and gas.
- Anticipation of meaningful absolute power sector emission reduction this decade.
- Inclusion of reduction targets for all greenhouse gases, including methane and nitrous oxide.
- Notable commitment from China to address methane, a significant contributor to global warming.
Challenges:
- Criticism regarding the slow pace of progress in addressing climate change.
- Lack of decisive commitment to displace fossil fuels and phase down oil and gas emissions.
- Absence of promises from China to phase out coal or halt permits for new coal plants.
- Silence on the urgent need to rapidly transition away from fossil fuels, a critical issue for COP28.
Overall Assessment:
- While the agreement signifies a crucial step forward, concerns linger about the urgency and specificity required to combat the escalating climate crisis.
Why In News
In a groundbreaking collaboration, the United States and China have jointly declared a historic agreement to significantly boost investments in clean energy, ushering in a new era of sustainable practices aimed at displacing fossil fuels and mitigating the detrimental effects of climate change.
MCQs about Landmark U.S.-China Climate Pact
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What is the significance of the U.S.-China climate agreement?
A. It focuses on increasing fossil fuel production.
B. It sets a precedent for global collaboration on climate change.
C. It prioritizes oil and gas emissions over other greenhouse gases.
D. It ignores the role of renewable energy in addressing climate issues.
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What is the primary objective of the U.S.-China climate deal regarding renewable energy?
A. To decrease renewable energy capacity globally.
B. To accelerate the substitution for coal, oil, and gas generation.
C. To exclusively focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
D. To prioritize methane reduction over renewable energy.
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What is noteworthy about China’s commitment in the climate deal regarding methane?
A. China refuses to address methane emissions.
B. China aims to increase methane emissions.
C. China has agreed in principle to cut methane emissions.
D. China focuses solely on carbon dioxide reduction.
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What criticism does the climate agreement face ?
A. The agreement lacks clarity on global collaboration.
B. Critics argue that progress is too rapid.
C. The agreement focuses solely on addressing methane emissions.
D. There is concern about the slow global action to combat climate change.
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