On Aug. 27, The New York Times carried two important stories on climate change—one on the most recent draft report by the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and another on President Barack Obama’s determination to take executive action on climate change, including a “sweeping international climate change agreement,” notwithstanding Congress’ failure to pass domestic legislation or to ratify even noncontroversial treaties calling for joint international action. Readers of this column will be familiar with the substance of the new IPCC report, which reiterates the same warnings, in equally blunt language, summarized in my last Law Journal column (“Addressing Climate Change to Preserve our Children’s Future,” May 2, 2014).
The president’s declared intention to use his executive powers to address climate change is not exactly new, but at least suggests that his attention is once again focused on this issue. He is expected to present his proposals later this month at the United Nations when the nations of the world gather once again to pledge—but not commit—to actually do something about climate change. Whether the president will follow through on his proposals or, as with gun control and other issues, substitute rhetoric for action remains to be seen.
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