U.S. And China Reach Landmark Climate Agreement

NY Times: U.S. And China Reach First-Of-Its-Kind Climate Accord. The New York Times reported that after months of debate, the United States and China reached a landmark agreement to combat climate change. The Times wrote that the deal between the world's top two carbon polluters involves the US reducing carbon emissions by 26-28 percent and China increasing clean energy sources and agreeing to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030:

China and the United States made common cause on Wednesday against the threat of climate change, staking out an ambitious joint plan to curb carbon emissions as a way to spur nations around the world to make their own cuts in greenhouse gases.

The landmark agreement, jointly announced here by President Obama and President Xi Jinping, includes new targets for carbon emissions reductions by the United States and a first-ever commitment by China to stop its emissions from growing by 2030. [The New York Times, 11/12/14]

Right-Wing Media Claim Obama Allowed U.S. To Get "Steamrolled" In Historic Deal

Fox's Heather Nauert: U.S. “Got Steamrolled” In Climate Deal. On the November 12 edition of Fox News' Happening Now, guest host Heather Nauert suggested the U.S. “got steamrolled” in the landmark climate agreement with China. Nauert questioned whether the agreement was really a win for anyone, suggesting China gets to 'ramp up' emissions. Fox guest Peter Brookes of the conservative Heritage Foundation echoed her question, saying that China will be allowed to increase their emissions while the U.S. is expected to reduce theirs. [Fox News, Happening Now, 11/12/14]

Laura Ingraham On U.S.-China Climate Agreement: “The Whole Thing Was A Debacle.” On the November 12 edition of Courtside Entertainment Group's The Laura Ingraham Show, Ingraham called the U.S.-China climate agreement a “debacle” and claimed that President Obama gave in to China, saying there is no doubt that “China is calling most of the shots in the global economy,” and concluding “when China says jump, we say how high?” [Courtside Entertainment Group, The Laura Ingraham Show, 11/12/14]

Rush Limbaugh: Obama Agreed To Put “Shackles” On U.S. Economy While Exempting China. On the November 12 edition of his radio show, Rush Limbaugh insisted that “Obama has just agreed to put immediate penalties and shackles on the U.S. economy,” and “exempted the [Chinese] from the same restrictions until 2020 or 2030.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 11/12/14]

Fox Business's Varney: Climate Deal Is A “Total Cave” To China. Fox Business host Stuart Varney appeared on the November 12 edition of Fox News' America's Newsroom claimimg that the climate deal with China is “a total cave on the part of President Obama to his Chinese counterpart.” Varney went on to say that “China doesn't have to do anything. In fact, they can keep on polluting at this current level, even increase their emissions for another 15 years. All they've agreed to do is peak their emissions in the year 2030.” [Fox News, America's Newsroom, 11/12/14]

China Deal Widely Regarded As Commendable, Significant Move Toward Fighting Climate Change

Climate Experts: Climate Agreement “Essential” To Concluding A New Global Climate Agreement. The New York Times reported that senior Obama administration officials and climate experts have called the climate agreement “essential to concluding a new global accord” on climate change, and said Wednesday's agreement could “galvanize” such efforts. Experts say without the U.S.-China agreement, “few other countries will agree to mandatory cuts in emissions, and any meaningful worldwide pact will be likely to flounder.” [The New York Times, 11/12/14] 

Georgetown Professor Of International Affairs: China Climate Deal Is “Aggressive And Significant.” Joanna Lewis, associate professor of science, technology, and international affairs at Georgetown University, told the New York Times' Sinosphere blog that the climate deal is “aggressive and significant”:

The announcements from the United States and China are aggressive and significant -- and the timing couldn't be better. The joint announcement will likely build momentum ahead of the G-20 meetings and the next round of the U.N. climate negotiations in Lima in December, and hopefully lead to similar announcements by other countries. [The New York Times, Sinosphere, 11/12/14] 

World Resources Institute President: Climate Agreement Is A “Major Development” That “Should Be Commended.” World Resources Institute president and chief executive Andrew Steer applauded the agreement saying “The U.S. and China Should be commended” and argued the agreement “should inject a jolt of momentum” to negotiating a global climate agreement. Steer also called China's willingness to increase clean energy as early as possible “a major development.” [The New York Times, Sinosphere, 11/12/14] 

Center For Climate And Energy Solutions: Climate Agreement “An Extremely Hopeful Sign.” Center for Climate and Energy Solutions' President Bob Perciasepe said the momentous agreement is “an extremely hopeful sign,” of cooperation necessary to “avert the worst risks of climate change by acting together.” [CNN.com, 11/12/14]