We are psychic, if we do say so ourselves. As leaders from 158 countries gathered this week at a U.N.-convened meeting to discuss post-Kyoto Protocol climate targets, we claimed doubt that anything of substance would come out of it. And voila! Deadlock and vagueness abounded. The E.U. and developing nations pushed for an indication that industrialized countries should be guided by a goal of reducing emissions 25 to 40 percent of 1990 levels by 2020; countries including Canada, Japan, and Russia opposed such approaching-strong language, and the final version of negotiations stated that such numbers provide "useful initial parameters for the overall level of ambition of further emissions reductions." Also, it was generally agreed that emissions should be reduced to "very low levels." Nations will come together again in December in Indonesia to try to hammer out an actual post-Kyoto agreement; the U.S., not having ratified the Kyoto Protocol, was not invited to either party.
source: Associated Press, Reuters
U.S. warns China against ‘stillborn’ climate deal
U.N. climate chief raises the temperature with racy novel
Comments
View as Flat
kman Posted 12:55 pm
31 Aug 2007
Seriously, we're in for a ride. Given the way these diplomats role, i'm glad i'll be dead b 2050 or so.
Permalink
stevenearlsalmony Posted 11:43 pm
03 Sep 2007
Even though the scale and growth rate of unbridled economic globalization now engulfing the surface of our planetary home could soon become patently unsustainable on a planet the size of Earth, still the politicians serve first and best the manmade economy.
Even though global warming appears to be derived in large part from the endless expansion of production capabilities; even though Earth's finite resources are being recklessly dissipated and its environment irreversibly degraded, still the politicians stay the course by supporting that which could soon become unsustainable large-scale human activities.
Even though the future of life as we know it and the integrity of Earth could be threatened by the certain unrestrained production, consumption and propagation activities of the human species occurring worldwide now, still the politicians serve the interests of wealth accumulation and political power consolidation.
Even though the future of our children is being mortgaged and potentially threatened in these early years of Century XXI, the politicians ignore a nest of ominously looming global challenges that are visible on the far horizon.
Human beings with most of the wealth wield most of the political power, I suppose. We have plenty of people with wealth and political muscle who are doing what is necessary to protect the global economy. Where is the money, where is the political power, where is the institutional advocacy needed to save the world God has blessed to inhabit for our children and coming generations?
Permalink