When I got off the bus and walked to work today to do my own thing, there was this new twist of climate irony in my daily climate news briefing: the Republic of Palau, which says its very survival is threatened by climate change and the accompanying rising sea levels, is about to embark on a mission to become a major supplier of oil and natural gas, which are among the chief culprits behind greenhouse gas accumulations. The tract to be initially explored is found in the waters of Palau's Kayangel state, located on the northern edge of the 300-mile long island nation. Officials say the area is likely home to one of the world's largest oil fields. For money's sake, Palau wants to pump that oil. For us to burn and exhaust greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. To melt the icecaps. To raise the seas. To drown the low-lying archipelago of Palau.In the meantime a group of nine Nobel laureates will announce today that unless the world starts reducing greenhouse gas emissions within six years, we face devastation. Canada has announced that it will delay greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts for at least six years. And a Chinese analysis of US and Australian carbon dioxide emission reduction plans says they are inadequate and inconsequential.
"Stop requested."
