There has been much ado about how the recent climate deal reached in Paris is non-binding. The following article explains how that need not be important, because the parties involved made the commitment in good faith, and their reputation in the international community is tantamount. While I agree in principle, we must not forget the exception to good faith.
The Paris climate deal has been lauded as “historic,” “sweeping,” and “ambitious” — a way to lead the world into a post-fossil-fuel, less-than-2°C-warming future.
But it has also been ridiculed for being “non-binding.” That is to say that America and nearly 200 other countries all got together and agreed to try really, really hard to slow climate change and to submit ongoing progress reports, but didn’t set up penalties within the agreement.
Non-binding, though, does not mean meaningless.
It’s worth taking a moment and thinking about what a binding agreement is. If I offer to pick your child up from daycare Thursday afternoon, is that a binding agreement? You can’t, strictly speaking, punish me if I leave little Sarah sitting on the curb. But — and this is a big but — you can shame me. You can avoid me, distrust me, and not make any more social agreements with me.
This idea of social pressure and participation does not only apply to carpools. It also applies to the international community. Sure, China could renege on its promises to transition off coal. The United States could decide it’s not going to give any money to developing nations to help build renewable energy. But that would make for pretty bad foreign relations.
In fact, most international agreements rely on countries’ desire to continue having good relationships with their counterparts, Michael Burger, executive director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, told ThinkProgress.
“International agreements operate under good faith,” Burger said. “Whether a country is an upstanding member of the international community is what’s at stake.”…
Inserted from <Think Progress>
The Republican Party does not give a rat’s ass for America’s reputation in the international community. They proved that when they defaulted on our debt in 2011, causing a drop in our credit rating. They are the exception to good faith, and they have seditiously tried to undermine these negotiations at every turn. So the future livability of our planet may well depend on who we elect in 2016.
8 Responses to “The Exception to Good Faith”
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Sigh. Well, another good reason to get Republicans OUT.
The DGA has started a petition to put Election Day on a weekend. Of course, what we actually need is all-mail balloting, preferably franked. I have been signing stuff to make Election Day a National Holiday, but, frankly, that is not good ehough. But a weekend – whose cockamamie idea was that?
I did not sign that petition. Instead, I sent an email to the DGA through their online contact form, asking which ivory tower exactly do they live in. Don't they realize that it is exactly the poor and disenfranchised who get stuck working weekends? Not to mention putting Election Day on the weekend would tempt the 1% to double and triple schedule to keep more people away from the polls, and I'm sure they would not resist that temptation. Needless to say I haven't been answered.
Good point! A three day National Holiday.
You're spot on, TomCat, In the past 7 years Republicans have been chiseling away at the standing America once had in the World. It had taken a beating as "Leader of the Free World" under the Bushes, but the lengths they have gone through to make Obama's diplomatic life a hell has turned the country in one of the most untrustworthy and closed-off countries on the planet, and that is saying something with the stiff competition it has. This year alone, with Inviting Netanyahu to speak to Congress, the letter to the leaders of Iran literally stating that any deals with them would not be honored by them, trying to undo the Iranian nuclear deal forged and signed by seven world leaders and now trying to undo a Paris agreement before it was even made, the Republicans have made themselves and America the laughing stock of the world. But as you say, TomCat, they couldn't give a rat's ass about America's international reputation and can't be shamed into keeping their word simply because they are completely oblivious to what is happening in the world. They still think America IS the world, just as Donald Trump thinks its is and the 'reality show' presented by Faux News each day is what is this world's reality.
For the sake of the future of this planet, come to your senses America, see that the world doesn't turn around you, and get rid of these Republicans, all of them, before it is to late.
Yet another good reason to campaign actively for those we know will protect us. I am still reeling from the recent gubernatorial election in Kentucky. Bevins managed to convince too many voters that a vote for Conway was a vote for Obama, who is pretty much despised in half of Kentucky. The War on Coal mantra from McConnell and Paul, and the "baby Killing" video against Planned Parent hood worked really well here.
I think any time a bunch of nations agree to anything, it's a big deal – and agreeing there even IS climate change is a big deal. The GOP can mock it, they can belittle it, they can fight it – just makes them look as stupid as they are.
Thanks all! Flush the GOP!!
Flush, and bury the bastards! It can be done, simultaneously, with a septic system!
One reason the agreement is not binding, does not include the word "Shall," is directly related to the hugely high probabiity, nay certainty, that the GOPigs would vote it down if their imprimateur was needed!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_faith_(law)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_faith
Good faith can also be enforced at times.