THURSDAY 11.13.14
TOMORROW’S FORECAST
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Learning to live far from home Students hear from former refugee about the struggles of having to move to a new country By Anne Halliwell ahalliwell@kykernel.com
UK students had the chance to learn about one refugee’s journey around Africa and eventually to the U.S. in the William T. Library Wednesday Young evening. Nicole Tshibangu’s family moved from the Congo in the 2000s during the Second Congo War. “It was not safe for us to live there,” Tshibangu said. They moved from the eastern part of the Congo to the south, but eventually had to cross the border into Zambia, then Namibia, where they stayed for almost 10 years. “By the way, I’m married,” Tshibangu interjected, adding that she has three children aged nine, seven and three, all of whom were born in Namibia. “We were struggling to raise them … (Namibia’s government) would not give us the paper to become citizens, to get a job and finish our education.” Tshibangu and her husband wrote to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2006, pleading their case and asking for resettlement. They waited until 2012 to receive a reply. “We were trying to find life for our children,” Tshibangu said. “They write us a letter, ‘your case has been accepted. You’re going to the U.S.A.’” In July 2013, Tshibangu’s family boarded a plane after an extensive series of interviews and health tests. “We got to the airport and there were people waiting for us,” Tshibangu said. “They say, ‘Hello, we are from Kentucky Refugee Ministries, we are here to welcome you.’” KRM, a local nonprofit that helps resettle people who have fled from their own countries due to religious, social or ethnic
PHOTO BY CAMERON SADLER | STAFF
Former refugee Nicole Tshibangu laughs as she answers a question from the audience at the Refugee Life event in The Hub of William T. Young Library in Lexington, Ky., on Wednesday.
persecution, has some of the highest numbers of Congolese refugees in the world, said Barbara Kleine, the Lexington office director. There are between 13 million and 15 million refugees in the world, Kleine said, and of those, less than one percent is successfully settled into new countries. KRM offers refugees housing, health checks, access to help with social security and welfare and education, Kleine said.
UK joins effort to combat lung cancer By Sofie Tapia news@kykernel.com
Representatives on the forefront of lung cancer research in Kentucky introduced a new collaborative effort to combat the state’s high rate of lung cancer Wednesday at the state capitol. The effort, titled the Kentucky Lung Cancer Education Awareness Detection Survivorship Collaborative, is a threeyear collaboration between UK, the University of Louisville and the Lung Cancer Alliance. It is being funded by a $7 million grant from the Bristol-Meyers Squibb Foundation’s Bridging Cancer Care Initiative. Dr. Jamie Studts, principal investigator of the Kentucky LEADS program, was aware of the needs for state lung cancer prevention and jumped into action when he heard about the opportunity to apply for the grant through the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation. He held meetings with the partners in January and said, “their excitement turned to action.” The LEADS Collaboration will focus on providing education, early detection, screening and patient support all over the state. Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, a cancer survivor himself, was enthusiastic about this project. He said that his hope is that this collaboration will put a dent in the serious and complex issue facing our state, since Kentucky leads the nation in cases of lung cancer. Dr. Mark Evers, director of the UK Markey Cancer Center, describes the LEADS approach as “unique and novel.” The program is split into three different components: provider education,
survivorship care, and prevention and early detection. Studts is not only the director of the Kentucky LEADS program, but is heading up the survivorship component of the project as well. “Historically there’s not been a lot of research or effort put into lung cancer survivorship,” said Studts, who said that the reason was because “there hasn’t been much survivorship.” Studts said his hope is to increase the quality of life for these survivors, as well as educate their caregivers. The programs provided through LEADS will be carried out with help from partners all over the state. Studts says that their core mantra is “design for dissemination,” meaning being able to apply programs in even the most rural areas of the state. People in these areas will be able to receive free detection screenings under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, said Studts. The first year of the LEADS project will focus on developing these projects, however. Studts says that he plans on sustaining these relationships and collaborations past the end of the project. Evers said the project will not only improve the commonwealth, but could have positive indirect effects on UK, such as bringing in clinical investigators and “recruit clinicians and technicians.” Laurie Fenton-Ambrose, president and CEO of the Lung Cancer Alliance, has high hopes for the project, and said “times are really changing for this disease.”
The goal, Kleine said, is for refugees to get jobs within about six months after their arrival. “We are new, everything is unclear for us — new place, new environment,” Tshibangu said. “But they are so friendly to us, Kentucky Refugee Ministries. They show love.” Since entering schools, Tshibangu’s children have adjusted to their respective grade levels. After three months, Tshibangu’s husband found a job in a
factory, where he still works, and Tshibangu worked in a soap factory for about two months before being hired at KRM to do translation work. English is her fifth language. The event was organized by Todd Stoltzfus, who heads the new Social Enterprise and Innovation/Certified Nonprofit Program to train freshmen, sophomores and juniors for jobs at similar nonprofits. “I’d like to work at a non-
profit, something like this,” said Taylor Stutzman, an international studies sophomore. Stutzman sought out the event because she hopes for an internship with KRM next semester or somewhere down the road. “I was just recently exposed to it, reading on their website … I think that what they do is really awesome,” Stutzman said. “I can’t even imagine myself moving to a different country.”
UK Hoops guard ready to make bigger impact on team By Kevin Erpenbeck news@kykernel.com
When UK Hoops guard Makayla Epps arrived at UK last year, she was worried about making an impression with her coaches and adjusting to the college game. Some of the criticisms against her, however, were being out of shape and committing numerous mental defensive errors. Now, the sophomore guard is ready to make a big impact on this year’s team, and correct her first-year issues. “Things are going great for me,” Epps said. “I worked extremely hard over the summer by watching what I ate, cutting back on all the soda. I can actually move on the court now and go a couple trips more than two or three. My body’s in great shape and I’m loving it.” Epps’ decision to go on a diet was in anticipation of her seeing more minutes on the court this year. With four frontcourt players having never played a minute at UK, the guards will be heavily relied upon to lead the team with their experience. “We have to find two (players) that really want to get up there and play Kentucky defense and pressure the ball,” said head coach Matthew Mitchell. “We are not a tremendously huge team. We are not going to be a great shot-blocking team, and we don’t want to be. We want to be the best charge-taking team in the country.” Epps emerged as a regular contributor towards the end of last season, scoring a careerhigh 16 points against South
Carolina. She finished the final 10 games of the year averaging 7.4 points, which was three points higher than her seasonal average. The 5-foot-10 guard also
learned to play more of an aggressive one-on-one defense as her freshman season wore on. But by being out of shape, Epps See EPPS on page 4
PHOTO BY MICHAEL REAVES | STAFF Kentucky sophomore guard Makayla Epps dribbles the ball during the game against the University of South Carolina in Lexington , Ky., on February 20, 2014.
page 2 | 11.13.14
Joshua Huff | Sports Editor | jhuff@kykernel.com
UK upset by South Carolina in conference tournament The Conference USA Tournament ended sooner thanexpected for No. 18 UK men’s soccer as it was upset 21 by South Carolina on Wednesday. UK was the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament while South Carolina was seeded seventh. The match appeared to be headed into overtime in the final seconds of regulation before both teams made furious attempts to score the gamewinning goal. Cats sophomore midfielder Ryan Creel had the ball 10 yards out from the net with under a minute to play, but shot his attempt straight at Gamecocks goalkeeper Marco Velez. Seconds later, South Carolina midfielder Koty Millard received a pass inside UK’s penalty box and scored the game-winner with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. The loss gives the Cats a 10-5-4 record to end the season. They will await the decision from the NCAA selection committee on Monday to see if they made it into the NCAA Tournament next week. UK entered the match with three major changes to its usual lineup. Senior forward Justin Laird was unable to play because of a knee injury he suffered in the Cats’ 2-1 loss to No. 4 Charlotte on Senior Day. Sophomore midfielders Napo Matsoso and Paul Sime were suspended for the match because of yellow card accumulation. Matsoso received a two yellow-card ejection in the match against Charlotte, while Sime was issued one card. The first goal of the match was scored by the Cats off of a penalty-kick in the first half.
Creel was fouled inside the Gamecocks’ box in the 31st minute, and junior midfielder Kristoffer Tollefsen was selected to take the penalty shot. Tollefsen scored his third goal of the season by faking out Velez at the net and shooting the ball in the right side of the goal. After UK headed into halftime with the lead, South Carolina scored the equalizer six minutes into the second half after a defensive miscue by the Cats. Gamecocks defender Mahamoudou Kaba was one-on-one with Cats jun-
ior goalkeeper Callum Irving after receiving a missed clearance by UK, and got the advantage over Irving to begin the Gamecocks’ comeback. Both teams’ goalies made four saves on the night. It was the first time this season UK had lost two straight games. With three wins over ranked opponents this year along with their fivegames over .500 record, the Cats’ chances at making the NCAA Tournament field are fairly high. Staff Report
UPCOMING SPORTS Football (5-5) Nov. 15
vs. Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn. 4 p.m.
Women’s Soccer (15-6) Nov. 14
vs. SIUE
Lexington, Ky. 7:30 p.m.
Men’s Basketball Nov. 14 vs. Grand Canyon Lexington, Ky. 8 p.m. Nov. 16 vs. Buffalo
Lexington, Ky. 12 p.m.
Women’s Basketball Nov. 14
vs. Appalachian State
Lexington, Ky. 7 p.m.
Volleyball (22-4) Nov. 14
Nov. 16 STAFF FILE PHOTO | JONATHAN KRUEGER Kentucky sophomore Ryan Creel tries to get past a tough Louisville defense during the match in Lexington, Ky., on Tuesday, September 23, 2014.
kernel. we do it daily. www.kykernel.com
vs. Ole Miss
vs. Flordia
Oxford, Miss. 7:30 p.m.
Lexington, Ky. 12 p.m.
11.13.14 | Independent since 1971 | 3
Go Green. Recycle this Kernel. CLASSIFIEDS
For Rent 1-9 Bedroom 4 Bedroom 3 BR/1.5 BA. $900/month- utilities included. Parking. Near UK campus. Call Kelley at (859) 225-3680. 3BR/2BA, $1,400/month. Campus View Condos. Utilities included, private parking. W/D, large kitchen appliances, microwave. Unit available 1/1/2015. (859) 552-6633.
2-15 BR homes. Excellent service, variety of nice homes, locations all around campus, starting at $345/person. Leasing@KampusProperties.com. Call/Text (859) 333-1388. 3-5 BR houses for rent. $875-$1,600 per month. Call Tyrell at (859) 585-0047 or email tyrell@lexingtonrentalhomes.net.
1 Bedroom
1 BR for lease in 4 BR at 524 Angliana. $509/month, everything included. Private bath. Fully furnished. No deposit or application fee! Call (859) 333-5381 or megan.butler114425@yahoo.com. Chevy Chase/UK duplex: 1BR/1BA, living room, hardwood floors, central heat & air. Quiet neighborhood. $650. Available now. (859) 539-3306. Room available in residential home in exchange for pet sitting and home chores. Lakewood area. Must be neat, mature and reliable. (859)269-0908 or email susanraku@aol.com.
2 Bedroom
2 BR/1 BA. $825/month, utilities Included. Near UK Campus. Call Kelley at (859) 2253680. Near UK 2 BR/ 2 BA. W/D. Walk to campus. $725/month. Call (859) 948-3300.
3 Bedroom
2973 Candlelight Way (off Tates Creek Road.) 3 BR/3 full BA duplex. Fireplace, W/D connections, all appliances. Hardwood floors and tile. All electric. $995. (859) 2298515.
4 BR/2.5 BA Townhouses leasing for August 2015. $1,600/month. Early signing discount! All electric, large bedrooms, hardwood, W/D, security sytems, garages units available. Close to campus on bus route. (859) 288-5601 or mprentals@netbusiness.com. 4BR/2BA House - Oldham Avenue. 5- or 7month lease. With appliances. Within walking distance to UK campus. Off-street parking. Call (859) 317-0690 or (606) 547-1040. WALK TO CAMPUS! 4 BR/3 BA. Brand new, never lived in. Available Jan. 1. 5- or 7month lease. 213 University & 214 State. (859) 539-5502.
Attention
BAHAMAS SPRING BREAK: $189 - 5 days. All prices include: Round-trip luxury party cruise. Accommodations on the island at your choice of 13 resorts. Appalachia Travel, 1-800-867-5018. www.BahamaSun.com.
Help Wanted
City BBQ on Harrodsburg Road near campus- Looking for hardworking, career- minded people for fast-growing, fast casual concept. Apply at www.citybbq.com/careers. Columbia Steakhouse now hiring servers and bussers at 201 N. Limestone. Apply in person or call (859) 253-3135. 2750 Richmond Road location now hiring cooks. Apply in person or (859) 268-1666. CPA firm seeks runner Monday-Thursday 2:00-5:00, Friday 10:00-12:00. Send resume with references to: Runner, P. O. Box 1485, Lexington, KY 40588 or e-mail admin@radwanbrown.com.
Gattitown - Lexington’s favorite destination for food and fun, is looking for fun, energetic people to work as weekend Party Hosts. We offer competitive pay, flexible schedules and tips. Apply in person at 2524 Nicholasville Rd (next to KMart) or email resume to info@gattitownlexington.com. Jean Farris Winery & Bistro now hiring servers and hosts. Must work Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Apply in person at Jean Farris Winery, 6825 Old Richmond Rd. Apply between noon-4 p.m. Tues-Sat. LLM is seeking full and part-time care attendants to work one-on-one with participants in residential setting. Starting at $10/hour. Weekend and afternoon hours available. Apply at www.lordslegacyministries.org or call (859)245-2233. Now interviewing for seasonal/part time kitchen and service help at local country club. To schedule an interview contact Adam at 859-299-6243 or ajohnson@lexcc.com PT Operator needed immediately for Glenn Auto Mall. Computer experience needed. 3:30-8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Tuesday, Thursday alternating weeks. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and 2-8 p.m. Saturday alternating weeks. Please apply in person Monday Friday at Glenn Nissan, 3360 Richmond Rd., ask for Mischelle or send resume to mlowe@wgautogroup.com. Researchers at the University of Kentucky are looking for individuals 21–34 years of age who have received a DUI in the last 5 years to participate in a study looking at behavioral and mental performance. Participants are compensated for their time and participation is completely confidential. For more information, call (859) 257-5794. Researchers at the University of Kentucky are conducting studies concerning the effects of alcohol and are looking for male & female social drinkers 21-35 years of age. Volunteers paid to participate. Call (859) 257- 5794.
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HOROSCOPE To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Focus on a subject you love, and breakthroughs are possible. An unpleasant surprise could arise, especially if you rush. Keep quiet. Don't talk back to authority. Plug a leak. Don't be afraid, or impetuous... go slow and steady. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Keep costs down at home. Love could seem intense... work together and keep your focus for great results. Talk to your partner. Play by the rules. Hidden obstacles provoke accidents, so go slow and watch out. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Don't get intimidated by strong competition. Abundance, due to your own thrift, is yours. Don't squabble. Finish what you started. Temporary confusion can befuddle, so be careful. Advance with caution. Know that you are loved. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Postpone expansion and travel. Don't talk about finances if you can avoid it. Quiet productivity allows you to keep your eye on a speeding ball. Finish an old job. Think it through to the end. Collaboration can get romantic. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Postpone a discussion. Family comes first. Avoid reckless spending. Your strength is quite attractive. Don't get stopped by past failures. Learn from them. Walk away from pushy salespeople. Make plans but don't act on them yet. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Postpone a romantic conversation until you've thought over what you want to say. Assess your position carefully. Pay attention to the mood, and let intuition guide. Light candles, add soft music and fragrant flowers. Express feelings wordlessly.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Don't take off on a lark quite yet. Accept a challenge, it pays well. If you must go, allow extra time for travel. Think quickly, but move slowly to avoid accidents. Acknowledge the limits, and keep to them. Rest. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Missteps could drop the cake, so walk carefully. Don't gamble, take big risks or experiment with the dinner you're serving guests. Discipline and creativity can boost your career now. The truth gets revealed. You are beloved. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Important associates come to an agreement. It could get chaotic. Avoid a touchy subject. Make plans before you make messes. Spend your money on your home and family, but not excessively. Your goal gets achieved. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — A new theory doesn't work as well in practice. Friends offer good advice. Old and young share high ideals. Dispel nervous energy through exercise. Blow off chores and follow your heart for a while. Clean up later. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Curb the desire to rush forward. Associates put their money into the pot. Are there strings attached? Choose your direction carefully. Keep promises already made. Tally results. A romantic moment could catch you by surprise. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Duty calls. Work produces unforeseen benefits. Don't spend on frivolities. Watch out for hidden dangers. Develop a good habit. Eat well, and nurture strength and endurance. Keep the faith. Sacrifice or surrendering works wonders for your love life. MCT
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page 4 | 11.13.14
Kyle Arensdorf | Opinions Editor | karensdorf@kykernel.com
Lego reality show may foster creativity for viewers ANNE HALLIWELL Kernel Columnist
Lego vice-president of global licensing and distribution Jill Wilfert announced a couple weeks ago at the Mipcom TV conference that after expanding their brand from video games to movies, the Swedish toy manufacturers will attempt to enter the world of reality TV in 2015. “The idea of becoming a master builder is something we think could be quite resonating,” Wilfert said, according to Ben Skipper of International Business Times.
Skipper goes on to define a Master Builder as a concept that was introduced in “The Lego Movie” (2014) of a person who is “able to create amazing things without the need for the instruction leaflets that potentially limit so many children from playing with Lego.” Actually, Master Builder is the name given to the individuals who design the sets created and sold by Lego and make incredibly detailed sculptures out of Lego bricks for events and showcases. According to Priceonomics’ article, “Life as a Lego Professional” in March, there are only 40 official Master Builders in the world, seven of whom are American.
So it seems unlikely, as cool as that could be, that Lego would consider adding to that pool of professionals based on a reality TV competition. But if we’re using Skipper’s definition, even
“
well, currently a sophomore at Indiana University in Bloomington, creates fantastic things with Lego. And while I admit a slight familial bias, the Lego competition he and his fellow
The Lego community is relatively small, but full of individuals who share a creative hobby that is ... awe inspiring.”
with the caveat that the creations must be “amazing,” I can give you a few candidates for your show right now, Wilfert. For 18 and a half years, I lived with a master builder. My brother Tyler Halli-
builders have entered and won in the last few years back me up, at least a little. Tyler introduced our family to the world of AFOL’s, or Adult Fans of Lego, beginning in junior high school. Since then, he
has become part of VirtuaLUG, an international group of people who communicate through on VirtuaLUG.org from everywhere from Germany to Indiana to New Zealand and collaborate on giant group builds for annual Lego conventions. In the last couple years, VirtuaLUG has filled convention tables with recreations of “The Wizard of Oz” (including a grayscaled, moving tornado and light-up Emerald City), and “The Odyssey,” which of course included an actual working fountain and thousands upon thousands of bricks in the multipart narration of the story. From an outside perspective, the world of Lego, from bricks to builders, is
Feminism is here to stay, despite poll ANNE HALLIWELL Kernel Columnist
The annual online “Which Word Should Be Banned in (Insert Year)” poll is back, and it has some people riled up. The poll, which has unsuccessfully exiled offenders like “OMG,” “YOLO” and “twerk” in past years, includes the word “feminist” this year. As of 4 p.m., it had 45 percent of the votes, more than triple the next-highest contender. Time provides a blurb
about each word’s presence on the list underneath the poll. For “feminist,” Time wrote the following: “You have nothing against feminism itself, but when did it become a thing that every celebrity had to state their position on whether this word applies to them, like some politician declaring a party? Let’s stick to the issues and quit throwing this label around like ticker tape at a Susan B. Anthony parade.” Fine. Celebrities probably get a lot of repetitive questions, and they might like to see a little variation. I’d like to live in a world where we could just assume that everyone would answer “yes” to equal rights and op-
portunities for men and women, but we can’t always get what we want. Of course this poll will not actually result in banning the word “feminist” from the internet, the sociopolitical scene or the general lexicon. But its inclusion in the poll, which includes recent pop culture hallmarks like “bae” and “obvi,” says some interesting things about how the makers of the poll construe the feminist movement in the last couple of years – as yet another hallmark of 2013-14 that has overstayed its welcome, or, like “kale,” has seen a brief moment of popularity that is winding back down to obscurity. I can get behind one of
Time’s slightly contradictory inclusions even more easily than I can “turnt” or any number of internet-speech candidates. The word “bossy” is on the way out. In keeping with 2014’s “I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss” movement, let’s help it on its way. The feminist movement has been gaining in power since the 19th century. But we are not done. And even though the definition, social acceptability and morality of feminism have all been called into question by underinformed or bigoted folks, we are not going anywhere. Anne Halliwell is the news editor of the Kentucky Kernel. Email opinions@kykernel.com.
incredibly rich material for a TV show. The level of skill that the people display, from creating entire works individually based on art or pop culture, and the time and effort it takes to make a cohesive group project at a certain scale, are inherently impressive. Add to that a group of genuinely passionate, artistic, talented people who seem to build each other up (pun absolutely intended). The Lego community is relatively small, but full of individuals who share a creative hobby that, even for people with no spatial intelligence, is aweinspiring to watch. Anne Halliwell is the news editor of the Kentucky Kernel. Email ahalliwell@kykernel.com.
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
EPPS Continued from page 1
was still unable to keep up with the faster guards she faced. By gaining more playing time and producing more on the court, Epps’ confidence level has grown to a greater height than it ever was during her first year. “That’s the big difference between Makayla as a freshman and Makyla as a sophomore,” Epps said. “I was new to the style of play, and new to the college lifestyle. But now, it’s like ‘You somewhat did it last year. Now you’re just going to go do it; you have no choice.’ I have to own it.” That high level of confidence was seen in the exhibition game against Pikeville, where Epps scored 18 points and was two assists and two rebounds away from collecting a triple-double in the Cats’ 141-63 win. Mitchell was impressed with the effort from his emerging guard, albeit against a team with an inferior level of talent. “She has worked really hard and she just looks super,” Mitchell said. “She’s a different player than before, that’s easy to spot. She still has a ways to go to be able to stay focused defensively, but that will come with some reps. She will be a real key to our success.” With a year of experience under her belt, Epps hopes to pass on what she learned during her freshman year to the young players in the frontcourt, much like senior guard Jennifer O’Neill did for her last season. “I’ve watched film from last year with (assistant coach Christian Stefanopoulos), and I’m like ‘Who is No. 25 (Epps’ number)? That can’t be me,” Epps said. “It’s just been a huge improvement and it’s self-motivating. If the freshmen now aren’t satisfied with how they are, I’m going to keep them motivated and say ‘If I did it, you can do it.’”
CARTOON BY TYLER WORTHINGTON
NEWS
US- China climate deal is either a good start or a “non binding charade” By Chris Adams McClatchy Washington (MCT)
WASHINGTON — As environmentalists and the White House celebrated a major agreement with China over combating climate change, Republicans on Capitol Hill immediately began attacking it, and even the president’s allies said more needed to be done. A key Republican member of the Senate committee overseeing environmental issues said the deal was “hollow” and a “charade” and questioned why it gave the U.S. set targets but allowed the Chinese to continue increasing emissions. Environmental experts said the deal was historic but added there were big questions about whether China could live up to its end. Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from the coal state of West Virginia, said he was “encouraged that the Chinese are willing to come to the table” but said plenty of work remained. “We cannot enter into an agreement that asks little of
the Chinese, while simultaneously promising more than we can achieve domestically with our current technology,” he said in a statement. According to the White House, the plan includes a new target for the U.S. to cut net greenhouse gas emissions 26 percent to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. China, meanwhile, announced a target to peak its carbon emissions around the year 2030 “with the intention to try to peak early.” The agreement, announced during President Barack Obama’s visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, also calls on the Chinese to quickly ramp up clean, noncoal sources of power. China will expand total energy consumption coming from zeroemission sources to around 20 percent by 2030, the White House said — a mammoth increase in nuclear, wind, solar and other zero-emission sources. The Asian nation will be able to peak its carbon pollution before 2030, the White House believes, based on “its broad economic reform pro-
gram, plans to address air pollution and implementation of President Xi’s call for an energy revolution.” For Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma and the likely new chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the deal pairs concrete U.S. action with nebulous Chinese intentions. “In the president’s climate change deal, the United States will be required to more steeply reduce our carbon emissions while China won’t have to reduce anything,” said Inhofe, a prominent and vocal skeptic of climate change who in the past has called the science behind the issue uncertain and said the president’s actions are akin to “doubling down on global warming policies that have already demonstrated that they do more harm than good.” On the Chinese agreement, Inhofe in a statement dubbed it “hollow and not believable for China to claim it will shift 20 percent of its energy to non-fossil fuels by 2030.” He called it “a nonbinding charade.”
His counterweight on the Senate’s environment committee, however, highlighted the significance of the agreement. Sen. Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat who currently chairs the environment panel, said “there is no longer an excuse for Congress to block action on climate change.” “The biggest carbon polluter on our planet, China, has agreed to cut back on dangerous emissions, and now we should make sure all countries do their part because this is a threat to the people that we all represent,” she said. Environmental groups and the president’s supporters echoed those comments, emphasizing the historic nature of an agreement that pushed China to make pledges it until now had resisted. The U.S. and China are responsible for more than a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, and major scientific panels have repeatedly and consistently said nations around the world need to work in concert to mitigate damage from climate change.