Magazine Article - The National Journal

Will We Know Success When We See It?

| December 6, 2010

As international climate negotiations continue here in Cancun, the key challenge is to further the process of constructing a sound foundation for meaningful, long-term global action, not necessarily some notion of immediate, highly-visible triumph.  I say this because of some basic scientific and economic realities.

First, the focus of scientists (and policy makers) should be on stabilizing concentrations at acceptable levels by 2050 and beyond, because it is the accumulated stock of greenhouse gas emissions — not the flow of emissions in any year — that are linked with climate consequences.

Second, the cost-effective path for stabilizing concentrations involves a gradual ramp-up in target severity, to avoid rendering large parts of the capital stock prematurely obsolete....

Continue reading: http://climate.nationaljournal.com/2010/12/will-we-know-success-when-we-s.php

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For more information on this publication: Please contact Harvard Project on Climate Agreements
For Academic Citation: Stavins, Rob. “Will We Know Success When We See It?.” The National Journal, December 6, 2010.

The Author

Robert N. Stavins

Robert N. Stavins

  • Director, Harvard Project on Climate Agreements
  • A.J. Meyer Professor of Energy & Economic Development
  • Member of the Board, Belfer Center
  • Director, Harvard Environmental Economics Program
  • Chair, Environment and Natural Resources Faculty Group
  • Chairman, Ph.D. Programs in Public Policy and Political Economy & Government
  • Co-Chair, Kennedy School–Harvard Business School Joint Degree Programs
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