You might be under the impression that there is now, at long last, worldwide consensus towards taking swift, bold action against climate change, by reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energies. Y’know, a reactive rallying cry in this post-Katrina, post-Australia flood, Day After Tomorrow age.

Indeed. This weekend, while at the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, world leaders (seen above in their brightest kung fu practice attire) reached a momentous, exciting outcome: they will not reach a deal this year.

Yes, in Singapore, the word came down that the sweeping, binding agreement they intended to reach at the U. N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, with a goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, is DOA.

Not with that attitude! Come on, guys, it’s game time!

(The fact sheet they released avoided all of this of course. And, this news renders what President Obama said at APEC on the subject pretty empty.)

Apparently, APEC is not known for much in the way of substance. So, this news has really bolstered its relevance!

What’s most disheartening of all? It’s mostly our fault! Congress’ inability to pass climate and energy legislation has sent typhoons of political paralysis across the oceans. The House passed a relatively robust bill in June, but Ol’ Unreliable Senate has not. Thanks for letting us down again.

Another morsel of glee: the Senate isn’t expected to get into the nitty-gritty of a debate until 2010. And from there, it’s only two years until the Mayan apocalypse!
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