When Sweden strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The Swedish government has just set an example of environmental responsibility before the world in contrast to the rebellion of the United States. They have just approved the new law to completely eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, in case it is not clear … REDUCE THEM TO ZERO POTATO. Which country will be next?
If someone believes that the legislative proposal surely had many obstacles, it is decidedly not like that, an overwhelming majority of 254 votes in favor (with one party abstaining, 86% of the total) and 41 votes against, has legally compromised the country to set an example for the rest of the world at an important milestone, both in Swedish history and in global policy on climate change.
The Swedish Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Climate Department, the ecologist Isabella Lövin, caused a media stir in her country by posting a photo on social networks that has been interpreted as a "trolling" of US President Donald Trump. We attach the two images … Nordic humor?
Leaving aside the possible comparisons. One of the most ambitious mission plans published by a developed country has just been established, which is divided into three key areas:
- The obligation before the government to provide an Environment report every year and prepare a specific plan every 4 years, as well as direct the policies of all sectors to meet the climate objectives established in the legislation.
- The regulation's climate targets include reducing emissions by 63% by 2030, the target of 75% by 2040, and the complete elimination of greenhouse gases by 2045.
- A climate policy council is established that will carry out an independent evaluation to ensure that climate objectives are met by the Government with special attention to renewable energy and green transport.
Recall that as part of the agreement on Cop21 (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris), Sweden originally planned to reduce its emissions to zero by 2050 being that they were actually meeting the objectives signed by the Swedish government, so we're not talking about any insanity in a 100% committed country either.
"Some so much and others so little" … And how do we know that Mr. Trump at the head of the United States administration recently withdrew from the Paris Climate Treaty (Cop21), breaking a historic opportunity for the benefit of all and the Earth , keeping the phrase from the Club of Rome's Twitter … "The Earth has cancer and the cancer is Man" which we translate as … "The earth has cancer, and that cancer is man", because if we look at the countries that are the largest greenhouse gas emitters …
China is in the lead where it has already started seriously to reduce emissions (Let's remember that it signed Cop21 and we can read a little more in the article on China: from polluting giant to leading the renewable revolution … HERE) and secondly the United States that with the words of Trump … "The Paris agreement is a huge redistribution of wealth from the US to other countries", thus settled any dispute before journalists, although in reality not all are in coherence with his policies.
If we look at the following map. 12 states and Puerto Rico have become members of the Climate Alliance for the United States (Color green) and remain committed to reducing CO2 emissions. Officials from 10 states and the District of Columbia have pledged to follow the Paris Agreement (Color Blue), but have not formally joined the alliance. And throughout the country, 274 cities have signed the treaty of the National Climate Action Agenda of Mayors, with the commitment to reduce emissions at the local level.
More information on the map… HERE. And as a note we remember the article of 7 Graphs that show that Trump will not be able to with renewables.
It is difficult to imagine that the second largest country that emits greenhouse gas emissions in the world is not in accordance with the majority attitude of applying measures to stop climate change. Time will put everyone in their place, and just as Sweden will go down in history as the first truly legislatively engaged modern country, Trump's legislature may be remembered as a black mark in American history.
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