After promising to slow the rise of the oceans in 2008, president Barack Obama has finally cemented his climate legacy.
Over the weekend, the world's two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, the U.S. and China formally ratified the Paris climate change pact. The move is being hailed as a crucial step in the fight against global warming. Speaking together with China's Xi Jinping, Obama said:
"Just as I believe the Paris agreement will ultimately prove to be a turning point for our planet, I believe that history will judge today's efforts as pivotal. We have a saying in America that you need to put your money where your mouth is. And when it comes to combating climate change that is what we are doing ... we are leading by example."
Painstakingly crafted and agreed to by more than 190 nations last December, the treaty is the by product of over 20 years of fraught negotiations. In the past, Beijing and Washington locked horns over who should take responsibility for the cuts: the U.S., the largest emitter historically, or China, the biggest polluter at present?
But, in 2014 as the science behind climate change grew ever more frightening, the two super powers joined forces to spreadhead a new global effort.
The move came six months after the UN released its most terrifying climate report yet: world temperatures are set to race past the four degrees Celsius mark before the turn of this century. And, whilst this may not sound like much, its enough to usher in a mass extinction event as it brings about changes not seen the last Ice Age.
"When the two largest emitters lock arms to solve climate change, that is when you know we are on the right track," said David Waskow from the World Resources Institute: "Never before have these two countries worked so closely together to address a global challenge. There's no question that this historic partnership on climate change will be one of the defining legacies of Obama's presidency."
The move came as monthly temperatures continue to smash records: July was the hottest July on record.
With less than 11 weeks before Americans head to the polls, the Obama administration is desperate to solidify the deal in the event of a Donald Trump presidency.
In his signature louche manner, the former Apprentice star has dismissed climate change as a
hoax and threatened to pull the U.S. out the pact if he wins the White House this November.
But, it was purposely structured in such that it would take years to unwind once it goes into effect. However, this can only happen one month after 55 nations representing some 55% of emissions rubber stamp it. Up until last weekend, only 24 countries covering a meager 1.08% of emissions had done so. The U.S. and China only account for 38% of emissions.
Over 30 other nations have indicated that they will sign up this year, and in a bid to fast track the process, the U.N. is hosting a special summit in New York this month which may lead to a ratification surge. According to some campaigners, the treaty may even come into effect before the UN climate summit in Marakkesh this November.
Once the accord comes into force, all nations will have to slash their emissions according to the targets laid out last December. And, although the sum total of those pledges is not enough to stave off dangerous climate change, the accord does promise to ratchet up ambition every 5 years.
Six years ago, world leaders promised to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius. But, the latest estimates indicate that we are in danger of surpassing that limit within the next 15 years.
According to a NASA funded study, civilizations in the past have collapsed because of:
"The stretching of resources due to the strain placed on the ecological carrying capacity and the economic stratification of society into Elites and Masses. In unequal societies, Elites grow and consume too much, resulting in a famine among Commoners that eventually causes the collapse of society."
Interestingly, at the end of last weekend's G20 summit, the head of the International Monetary Fund concluded that "growth has been too low for too long for too few." This in part has given rise to populist politics on both sides of the Atlantic: namely Brexit and Trump.
Since the financial crisis 8 years ago, prolonged stagnant growth has only caused the inequality gap to widen whilst the strain on the planet has deepened. So, we can either continue along this business as usual path and veer towards collapse, or we can squarely confront both crises by firing up the green energy sector.
This will create both jobs and growth whilst simultaneously saving our climate. With only 15 years left before we experience dangerous climate change, all nations must urgently step up to the plate. In the words of Pope Francis: "If we destroy Creation, Creation will destroy us."
As actor Leonardo di Caprio reminded world leaders at the UN two years ago: "You can make history or be vilified by it." To paraphrase the great Martin Luther King: "Although the arc of the universe is long, may it bend towards justice."