US-China tensions threaten global climate change efforts

US-China tensions threaten global climate change efforts

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington. File/AP The world's hopes for curbing climate change hinge on action by two giant nations whose relations are deteriorating: China and the United States. The two countries both say they are intent on retooling their economies to burn less climate-wrecking coal, oil and gas. But tensions between them threaten their ultimate success. China and the United States are the world's No. 1 and No. 2 carbon polluters, respectively, pumping out nearly half of the fossil fuel fumes that are warming the planet's atmosphere. The fast cuts in carbon needed to stave off the worst of climate change are all but impossible unless these countries work together and basically trust each other's pledges. During the Trump administration, the US used China's emissions as an excuse not to act, and in the past China pointed to US historical emissions as a reason to resist action. New details of how quickly China plans to reduce carbon emissions will be revealed on Friday when Beijing releases its next Five Year Plan. And in April, President Joe Biden is expected to announce the United States' own