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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
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To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
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
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?