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G8 leaders dither on energy issues

The G8 industrial nations met in St. Petersburg this weekend, focusing on energy security. They agreed to ... nothing. Said the group statement: "We recognize that G8 members pursue different ways to achieve energy security and the goals of climate protection." You could say that. The U.S. and U.K. are strongly pro-nuclear power, and Germany is strongly anti, leading to this bizarre formulation: "We are committed to further reduce the risks associated with the safe use of nuclear energy." (Can't be too safe!) On climate change, the nations will pursue "our shared ... objectives of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions," but, ahem, "those of us committed to making the Kyoto Protocol a success underline the importance we attach to it." The group noted that the transportation sector consumes two-thirds of the world's oil, but didn't go so far as to call for increases in fuel-efficiency standards (Bush put the kibosh on that). On the topic of climate change, French President Jacques Chirac said, ominously, "Mankind is dancing on the edge of a volcano." Others disagreed.

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