"The US is currently approaching it correctly, reduce OUR emissions and then we can show others how to do it" Only if you assume that lowering emissions is a good idea.  That case has not been adequately made yet, and the only scientific benefit from lowering emissions at this point is an improvement in air quality (which is a very good benefit).  Right now, there's more political benefit. As the article correctly points out, we are in the extreme LOW range of historical CO2 levels.  If feeding a growing global population is desirable, then more CO2 would seem to be in order.