I have to disagree with your point on Solar  and geothermal influences  are vastly more powerful than the greenhouse effect. Without carbon in the atmosphere, there would be no earth as we know it. Much of the geologic record is interpreted as a result of a warm earth with a carbon-rich, oxygen-poor atmosphere being transformed to  a cooler earth with a more oxygen-rich, carbon-poor atmosphere. The carbon sequestered as carbonates and bio deposits. The idea that humans are reversing the process by burning fossil fuel thus transforming the atmosphere to a more primeval state seems rather reasonable.
But don't get me wrong, I agree with Ms. Wente that this does not make sense. If the West tries to cut emissions but allows China and India to increase emissions, it's all rather pointless.