- Social:
Guardian newspaper
US environment correspondent for the Guardian newspaper and author of Madam President
PROFILE
Suzanne Goldenberg
Guest
FROM Suzanne Goldenberg
To the Point
The Climate Is Changing while Politics Stays the Same Climate change denial has been overtaken by observable facts — like the rapid melting of ice sheets that will increase ocean levels worldwide. It's happening, and the latest predictions of what's likely to come include disastrous flooding during the lifetimes of people living today. Polls show there's public concern -- but politicians can still ignore it — despite the scientific consensus that there's no time to lose. The cost of reducing greenhouse emissions may be a lot less than the cost of inaction.
To the Point
Diplomacy, Money and Climate Change Unanimous on the part of almost 200 nations, this weekend's " Paris agreement " is being hailed as "historic" — even though there's no way to enforce promised reductions of greenhouse emissions. Public disclosure is required every five years, with the prospect of "naming and shaming" countries that don't meet their commitments. It's also being called a "signal to investors" that the "age of fossil fuels" is ending. That's aimed at Republican US Senators and other climate deniers. Will the international marketplace supply the enforcement mechanism that diplomacy failed to provide?
To the Point
Will the Latest Climate Talks Start Something New? The first Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It was agreed that human interference was changing the climate and that something had to be done. Since then, conferences have been held all over the world--most notably in Kyoto in 1997 and Copenhagen in 2009 — without producing an enforceable strategy to cope with changes that are already under way or to prevent more change in the future. Now the leaders of nations covering 95% of the planet are convening in Paris to try again. Can even that limited goal survive differences between rich and developing nations and overcome domestic politics in the US and other countries?
Which Way, L.A.?
Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and US Foreign Policy Senator Hillary Clinton appeared before her colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as Barack Obama's nominee to be Secretary of State. Why did Obama choose a former political rival to fill the most important post in his cabinet? What unique assets does she bring to Obama's foreign policy team? How will Bill Clinton and his foundation have to adjust to Hillary’s new role in world affairs? What have we learned in Clinton's confirmation hearing ? How will she influence the Obama approach to the crisis in Gaza and other problems around the world?
To the Point
Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and US Foreign Policy Senator Hillary Clinton appeared before her colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as Barack Obama's nominee to be Secretary of State. Why did Obama choose a former political rival to fill the most important post in his cabinet? What unique assets does she bring to Obama's foreign policy team? How will Bill Clinton and his foundation Clinton's confirmation hearing ? How will she influence the Obama approach to the crisis in Gaza and other problems around the world? have to adjust to Hillary’s new role in world affairs? What have we learned in
Recommended
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?