U.N. Sets an Example by Offsetting Its Carbon Emissions

Hundreds of presidents, prime ministers and officials from across the globe this week took airplanes to the United Nations meeting, some accompanied by dozens of people. Limousines and motorcades ferried the dignitaries from airports to meetings to hotels and back, often getting stuck in Midtown Manhattan gridlock.

But since the goal of this meeting was to reduce the global emissions that have been linked to global warming, the United Nations decided to try to do something about all the carbon dioxide produced by the delegates: it bought carbon offsets.

Under a new and expanding program for offsetting emissions, United Nations administrators calculated that the meeting would generate the equivalent of 461 tons of carbon dioxide...

Deal on climate change is elusive - USATODAY.com

Now the deadline is nearing, and hope is fading. The treaty is supposed to be finalized at talks that start Dec. 7 in Copenhagen, but diplomats have made almost no progress toward an agreement — a point made repeatedly by world leaders Tuesday at the U.N. climate summit in New York.

U.S., China and climate change -- latimes.com

At the U.N., Beijing commits to strict greenhouse gas restrictions, while President Obama offers lofty rhetoric and little detail.
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Even if the United States is gradually losing its status as the world's economic, diplomatic and military superpower, there is one category in which, as of Tuesday, it has emerged as the undisputed No. 1: We are the most environmentally irresponsible nation on Earth.

Roger Pielke Jr.'s Blog: Is China's Energy Intensity Story A Myth?

With all of the talk of China now being the "world leader" on emissions reductions, is this story just another myth of climate policy? It sure looks that way.