http://campusprogress.org/newswire/2267/in-bali-us-balks-at-global-warming-action
December 6, 2007
In Bali, U.S. Balks At Global Warming Action
Not that this was unexpected, but things aren’t going so well at the
U.N. Bali summit on climate change.
It comes down to this:
“The world’s largest emitter, the United States, has not signed any
binding agreement to reduce emissions, and it has no intention of
doing so as long as President George W. Bush is in office.” [American
Progress]
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/12/bali_2007.html
And while we’re all crossing our fingers for a change of heart, the
US’s stubbornness is casting a pall over the whole event.
As one commentator writes, “Despite the millions spent on airfares,
hotel rooms, taxis, and resort meals, it won’t deliver a dime to poor
or rich countries to mitigate the impacts of climate change.” [Asia
Times] http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/IL06Ae03.html
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Short of signing Kyoto, the United States Senate could pass “America’s
Climate Security Act,” which would “ensure a 15 percent reduction in
global warming pollution by 2020, and a 63 percent cut from 2005
levels of emissions by 2050.”
In addition, the energy bill now before the house would improve
vehicle efficiency with alternative fuels and require renewable
low-carbon power such as solar and wind to provide 15 percent of our
nation’s power.
The bottom line is that by passing this legislation, America could
show “the rest of the world that we are serious partners in addressing
this global problem.”
Predictably, despite bipartisan support in the Congress, Bush has
threatened to veto both pieces of legislation.
It’s like he’s not even trying.
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Bush's legacy: The destruction of future generations of Americans
Harry
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