By MICHAEL LAURIE
For The Beachcomber

By now many people know about the historic agreement last week between the United States and China to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This agreement is a positive step forward and will hopefully pave the way for a global fight against climate change.

The agreement says that by 2025, the U.S. will reduce its emissions 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels. But China agreed to three things: to have its emissions peak around 2030, to work to reach that goal sooner and that also by 2030, non-fossil fuels will be 20 percent of their total energy use. The agreement is non-binding, and it is stated that it is only what they will try to do. One of the main reasons for that unrestrictive language is because a U.S. treaty with a foreign country would take a two-thirds majority of the U.S. Senate to be approved. That’s not possible with the current Republican opposition to climate change regulations.

The goals for each country are not equal because the U.S. is responsible for 29 percent of the total global cumulative emissions from human sources, and China’s contribution is just over 7 percent. We caused a bigger part of the problem, so we need to reduce more. China will be allowed to develop to a level where more people have access to food, water, health, shelter and security, so its greenhouse gas emissions will have to rise for at least a decade, even if they rapidly transition to a more efficient use of energy and renewable energy.

Meeting these goals will require the U.S. to reduce its greenhouse gas output by 1 to 3 percent a year for the next 11 years. It will require China to install renewable energy systems equal in output to their 620 coal plants, which will then allow them to increase the rate at which they are shutting down those coal plants.

This agreement is a big deal. Many countries have argued that it made no sense for them to address climate change if China and the U.S. were not going to address it. Well, now they have. This encourages other nations and creates models for them. The United Nations climate change meeting in Paris next year now has a chance of reaching a substantive agreement for the first time ever.

Over 95 percent of the scientists who have been studying climate change for many years agree it is mostly due to human caused emissions. If we continue on the current track of increasing global emissions, we are in danger of increasing world temperatures several degrees. Experts say that such an increase is likely to lead in many areas to a reduced water supply, more destructive storms, reduction in cropland, greater spread of disease and other threats to our economy, health and national security. The U.S. has been reducing its emissions a modest amount. If new regulations on power plants are approved, the U.S. will be closer to doing its part to keep the increase in world temperature below 2 degrees Celsius, the international goal. But many scientists argue we need to do much more, much more quickly.

Some will likely oppose this new agreement because they worry it will lead to higher energy bills in the U.S., loss of jobs and loss of U.S. competitiveness. Some also believe it will be too expensive or just not practical to decrease our country’s emissions. But many homes and businesses have an opportunity to lower their energy bills by installing energy-saving or renewable energy equipment that has the added benefit of reducing climate change. Studies have shown that per dollar invested, more jobs are created by energy efficiency and renewable energy than by fossil fuels. A growing number of companies are already putting their money into lower carbon output options because they see it as one of the best ways to make money and a necessity for staying competitive.

What is already too expensive is the growing number of climate change-related weather disasters, shrinking water supplies, reduced food production, climate refugees and greater threats to national security. Those costs are part of fossil fuel business as usual. Our current financial system does not make the greatest greenhouse gas emitters pay for these costs, so we pay for them now. There are many practical solutions at the local, regional, state and national level that are working well and making for a more prosperous economy and society. For example, by 2016 solar power-generated electricity will be as cheap or cheaper than electricity from the conventional grid in every state except three.

For us on Vashon, some of the solutions that can save the most include making sure your home is well insulated and air sealed and installing efficient lighting, an efficient heating system and solar panels. For an extra $10 to $12 per month, you can select completely renewable electricity from Puget Sound Energy. Visit their website at pse.com/savingsandenergycenter to learn more about their green power program and the many ways you can save money, save energy and help reduce climate change, which will make life easier for your kids and grandkids.

— Michael Laurie is a sustainability consultant.