Brian P. Klein

Opinion | US-China relations: climate change crisis can unite squabbling great powers

Unless the United States and China find a way to work together to address the most pressing issue of our time, a disaster scenario is almost impossible to avoid

Their climate change commitments must also not be linked to the contentious issues in the relationship. These issues should be addressed in parallel

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A man cycles past the Waigaoqiao Power Generator Company coal power plant in Shanghai. Even with China’s heightened pledges on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the prospect of the US rejoining the Paris climate agreement, greater US-China cooperation is essential to addressing climate change before it is too late. Photo: AFP

Brian P. Klein

Published: 3:30am, 26 Dec 2020Updated: 6:09am, 26 Dec 2020

The US presidential election is finally over, but even as President-elect Joe Biden readies to assume the duties of the White House on January 20, strained relations with Beijing are expected to deepen. In one area, however, cooperation remains essential – fighting climate change.

This single issue is an existential threat to both countries. Unless the United States and China – the two largest emitters of global greenhouse gas emissions – find a way to work together, a disaster scenario is almost impossible to avoid.

A report released earlier this month by the UN Environment Programme found that despite some gains in curbing carbon dioxide emissions, the world is headed for a global temperature rise of 3 degrees Celsius. The Paris climate agreement aims to keep that below 2 degrees. While that might not sound like a major difference, the reduction could help the world avoid catastrophe.

Signs of rapid change, many occurring earlier than predicted in this century, are nearly everywhere. From Canada’s Milne Ice Shelf to Antarctica’s Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers, buffers to major sea level rise are nearing collapse. Storms, wildfires and extreme heat have become more damaging and lethal.

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Glaciers in northwestern China melting at a ‘shocking’ rate and may disappear by 2050

Research has shown that humans have inhabited a remarkably narrow climate niche for thousands of years. Global warming is expected to cause a global mass migration unseen in modern history. There will be large-scale desertification as once arable land can no longer support human life.