Tillerson says US won't be rushed on climate change policies

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Mark Thiessen, Associated Press
Updated 10:21 pm, Thursday, May 11, 20177


FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Arctic nations have renewed calls for the world to address climate warming, but U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the United States will not rush to make a decision on its policies.

Tillerson spoke Thursday in Fairbanks, Alaska, at a meeting of the Arctic Council, an advisory group made up of the eight Arctic nations and indigenous groups.

The council adopted a nine-page "Fairbanks Declaration 2017," which noted that the Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of the global average. The document noted the importance of reducing soot and methane emissions and said climate change is the most serious threat to Arctic biodiversity.
 
Tillerson signed the document. But in opening remarks, he cautioned that the United States is reviewing several important policies, including how the Trump administration will approach the issue of climate change.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/science/article/Officials-from-Arctic-nations-meet-amid-drilling-11137820.php

[tenorly]

1. "Just don't go frackin' near my home."

"The missus likes her water nice an' clean."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/02/22/exxon-mobil-tillerson-ceo-fracking/5726603/

[Solly Mack]

2. Rush? Snort

Damn

[Roy Rolling]

12. Little late for "rushed"

[Solly Mack]

20. No kidding.

But he thinks he sounds strong and decisive.

[dalton99a]

3. Then tell climate change to slow down, asshole

[StevieM]

4. Unfortunately I don't think the planet Earth is listening to Mr. Tillerson or this Administration.

eom

[truthisfreedom]

5. Leading from behind... the 45 way.

[Docreed2003]

6. What's the rush??? There's still money to be made!!

These assholes won't be around for the consequences so they don't give a shit about the rest of us or our children...hell even their children!! If Ivanka and Jared live into their 80's, I hope they see the flooding of Mar a Lago and see the consequences of their father's work. We all will feel the pain of climate change, but I especially hope these smug, trust fund bastards feel it twice as much!

[Astraea]

7. How long have we known about global warming?

How much more fucking time do you need?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. Ohh, yes.

"Our astronomers have detected a large asteroid on a collision course with the planet. Most life will be wiped out."

If such a thing had been noted some 65 million years ago, had there been an intelligent species of dinosaurs around then, do you suppose their political leaders would have said something along the lines of, "Don't worry. We can't really be certain this so-called asteroid will actually impact with this planet" and therefore would have blocked research into ways to survive that catastrophic impact.

Potential science fiction novel here.

[hatrack]

11. Can't rush things when Ivanka is still deciding US climate policy

[karynnj]

13. I suspect it is not just what Ivanka thinks

You might note that all her very public concern for mothers and children has not changed by even one iota Trump policy.

I think what has is the reality that most other countries are moving in the same direction. Significantly, both China and India are very likely to meet or exceed their Paris goals. Europe has always led and Macron, who wants to act beat Le Pen who would tear the agreement up in a landslide.

It is not just countries, but big companies funding research because they see this as the future. More than the details, Paris sent a signal and may be seen as when the world changed direction. In addition, states including the technology leaders like CA and MA are moving forward on their own. Whole regions like the NW and NE are too.

Here, having read articles leading up to this conference, what seems noteworthy is that Tillerson signed for the US. While we shifted from leader, under Kerry and Obama, we are not refusing to play altogether.

I suspect the delay is that Trump has been lobbied not just by his daughter, but President Xi and many other leaders. I suspect he is hearing that fighting this makes us a pariah and weaker and strength is everything to him.

[hatrack]

14. Possibly, but you could also flip that narative in your last paragraph

He's the last really strong leader, "standing tall" against what he just "knows" is wrong for 'Murca.

With this asshole, any interpretation is possible - except for informed, intelligent decisions, that is.

[karynnj]

15. True, but the great thing is that he can try to stand tall against it - and see that he can not

control even US companies and states. He would find that if we stand alone, it is hard to claim we are leading if no one follows. As it is, this reads so different than past meetings of the Artic on this. There is a huge difference from the leadership the US had and the respect that Kerry received from that entire group and Tillerson metaphorically mumbling in the corner. (ie giving a speech that showed Trump had no firm position and then signing what the others wrote.)

My point:
It is more likely that Trump could end any view that America is exceptional - other than in the minds of RW Americans. It also shows how robust the Paris Accord and the many many efforts around it really are. The US leaving will harm the US - rather than destroy the agreement. The great thing is that having made that deal - even with the worst case scenario that is Trump America - the world is in a better position than before it happened.

It was not easy to get to that accord. In fact, in 2012, Obama and his team, were pessimistic about any diplomatic success on this when Kerry told them he wanted to make the environment including climate change a signature issue of his. Remember that they were constrained by knowing that no treaty on this could be ratified.

Obviously, we would be in a much better position had Clinton won, but the wonder is that it may be so well designed that it can survive and move in the right direction even as the US flounders. Not to mention, it is a good sign that Collins, Graham and McCain voted to keep the Obama era methane rules - handing Trump an unexpected loss.

[MBS]

16. The stupidity and greed of these people make me so angry.

They are destroying our international reputation and the planet.

[Grins]

17. Still haven't heard back yet from the board at Exxon-Mobil...?

Your former company, the one facing lawsuits over climate change...?

[Wounded Bear]

18. Just send King Trump out there...

it worked so well for King Canute.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Canute_and_the_waves

[mdbl]

19. Tillerson probably invested in a company that makes sandals

he plans on wearing them the next time he visits the Arctic nations.