Opinion: One More Reason

Love, Justice, and Climate Change

Not content with thwarting climate action at every turn within the U.S., the Trump regime is now threatening hostile action against other nations if they support a recently negotiated climate-friendly international maritime treaty.

Here’s some of the backstory. Global maritime shipping is responsible for nearly 3% of the world’s CO2 emissions — due to huge ships burning polluting fuels. According to Reuters, “about 90% of the world’s trade is conducted by sea.” The International Maritime Organization (IMO), with 176 member nations, has responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and has been working for some years to find a way to reduce the industry’s emissions.

Limiting Emissions from Shipping
In 2023, the IMO set a goal of zero emissions from shipping by 2050. At the time, the U.S., under the Biden Administration, supported that agreement. Since then, the nations have been working to negotiate a way to achieve this net zero goal. In April they agreed that by 2030 ships will be required to cut the emissions intensity of their fuels, resulting in a 20% reduction in emissions by 2030. By 2035 the standard will be to cut fuel emissions by 30%, with a goal of zero emissions by 2050.

Small island nations pushed for stricter standards, but the majority of the nations settled on this level as a compromise. The U.S., under Trump, refused to even participate in the negotiations.

Ships that exceed the standard will pay a fee based on how great their excess emissions are. The funds will be used to reward ships that adopt near-zero emissions fuels or technology, and to stimulate the development of greener shipping fuels. Fees will be charged starting in 2028. They will only apply to large ocean-going ships that are over 5,000 in gross tonnage. These ships account for approximately 85% of total CO2 emissions from international shipping.

Ratification in October Still Needed
This “Net Zero Framework” agreed to in April still needs to be formally ratified at a meeting coming up in October. This agreement was a remarkable accomplishment. Nations with very diverse interests engaged with each other and developed an agreement that will result in major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

The European Commission called it “a historic deal in the fight against climate change, marking a significant advancement in reducing the environmental impact of the shipping industry on a global scale.” The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents over 80% of the world merchant fleet, has formally backed the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework and recommended its adoption at the October meeting.

Trump’s Sabotage
Now, Trump and his cronies are trying to bully other nations into voting against adoption. They have announced that they will retaliate against nations that support the accord. They are warning that the U.S. will raise tariffs, increase port fees, and limit visas for nations that support the Net Zero Framework. These have serious economic consequences for any nation subjected to them.

This is not the worst of the countless steps that the MAGA forces have taken to worsen the climate crisis and promote fossil fuels. It’s probably not the most egregious abuse of power among the myriad excesses of the Trump regime. But I found this one particularly upsetting.

It Should Be Time to Cheer
When many, many nations have worked together to come to an agreement; when nations are finally ready to enact a system that says if you emit excessive greenhouse gases that accelerate global warming and contribute to deaths from air pollution, you must pay; then I want the whole world to stand up and cheer. I want the whole world to applaud that humanity is coming to its senses and taking effective action. Instead, my nation, the U.S., is sabotaging this key step forward.

It makes me sad and angry, and motivates me to do everything I can to contribute to ending control of the government by Trump and all the other neo-fascists.

Russ Vernon-Jones was principal of Fort River School 1990-2008 and is currently a member of the Steering Committee of Climate Action Now-Western Massachusetts. He blogs regularly on climate justice at www.russvernonjones.org.