Thus an editorial in The Guardian today. “President Obama’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions faces many hurdles, but it could make a critical difference to the world’s chances of containing global warming,” elaborates the newspaper. The plan, which was announced yesterday, primarily concerns power plants. Thus it is known as the Clean Power Plan. Both the power companies and the Republican opponents promise a stiff fight against it, as can only be expected. But the editorial is still surprising, and especially in view of the newspaper’s well-advertised concern about climate change. To begin with, every plan of this ilk is perforce overdue. Besides, it cannot but be welcome all the same. So, whence the sour tone of the editorial? What in the world could the newspaper expect from Obama, or any other politician for that matter? In fact, there is nothing anyone can do at this point to stop climate change. The current goal of containing global warming to a maximum of two degrees Celsius is for the birds, anyhow. The environmental degradation of the planet goes well beyond global warming, as well. In short, the newspaper is barking up the wrong tree, just like anyone else who expects that Paris climate talks later this year will make any difference in the years to come. If any sour tone is warranted at this juncture, it is about the future that humanity faces.