Ethical Angles of Climate Change Featured in World Press
Jun 29th, 2009 • Posted in: NewsProvisions of House measure, role of developing countries, and effect of doomsday predictions on children all figure in coverage
VARIOUS DATELINES
The U.S. House of Representatives last week narrowly passed a bill intended to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and move the nation away from fossil fuel consumption. Major media reported on several ethical angles to the development, including:
- UPI notes that there is considerable controversy about the “cap and trade” provision in the House bill, which would require companies that pollute to pay for the privilege with credits based on the amount of greenhouse gases they produce. In addition to concerns over the issue of being able to buy a pollution pass, critics argue that the provision will make energy more expensive and send jobs overseas.
- China is taking the issue of climate change “very seriously,” according to European Commission head Manuel Barroso. The Agence France-Presse notes that China is a focus of global attention since it is not bound to reduce pollution because the current Kyoto protocol on climate change exempts developing countries. The European Union has pledged to provide up to $70 million to help China build a clean coal-burning plant.
- In U.S. News & World Report, environmental columnist Maura Judkis checks in on the PR aspect of climate change campaigning, noting the wide difference in approaches between skeptics and impassioned worriers. Judkis says there are messages that tread a middle ground and may be less frightening to kids, such as a classroom video called “The Story of Stuff,” which encourages children to think about consumerism without implying “certain doom.”
Sources: AFP, June 26 — UPI, June 26 — U.S. News & World Report, June 15.
For more information, see: Related Newsline Commentary, June 9 — Related Newsline story, May 4, 2009 — Related Newsline story, Apr. 27 — Related Newsline story, May 5, 2008 — Related Newsline story, Apr. 21, 2008.
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