Staff Reports
In a recent agreement, the United States and China have decided to collaborate on climate change initiatives. While both governments are promoting this news as a positive step towards addressing the climate crisis, critics argue that it is yet another example of the Biden administration favoring China over American interests. The agreement will involve the revival of a working group that was previously suspended after Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to Taiwan. Additionally, both countries expressed their anticipation for the upcoming COP 28 summit, a major international conference on climate change set to take place in Dubai later this month.
The joint statement released by the U.S. and China emphasized their commitment to tackling the climate crisis and meeting the challenges of future generations. It outlined the importance of COP 28 in responding to the climate crisis during this critical decade. Efforts will include exploring alternatives to coal, oil, and gas, as well as developing targets for reducing methane gas emissions.
My predecessor and much of the MAGA Republican Party still deny that climate change is a problem.
Anyone who willfully denies the impact of climate change is condemning the American people to a very dangerous future.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 15, 2023
However, the Washington Examiner highlighted the irony of this agreement, as China is currently one of the world’s largest emitters of CO2 gases. Despite their commitment to climate change policies, China continues to expand its coal power plants and release billions of metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.
Unsurprisingly, this cooperative effort between the U.S. and China drew the ire of Republican lawmakers. California Representative Ken Calvert criticized Biden’s policies, claiming they benefit China at the expense of American citizens. Calvert argued that making agreements with China only yields short-term concessions while burdening Americans with increased regulations and energy prices. He further warned that appeasement strategies towards China have historically failed and jeopardize the nation’s economic and national security.
In the world of climate change politics, it seems that even cooperation may be met with skepticism and partisan criticism. As the U.S. and China come together to tackle this global challenge, the Biden administration will undoubtedly face scrutiny from its conservative opponents.
