Bush Climate Meet Attendees Describe "Deeply Cynical" Approach - Treas. Sec. Paulson Breaking Ranks?

[hatrack]

Defiant as ever, President Bush remained isolated on global warming when he refused to accept the need for specific limits on emissions from the world's biggest polluting nations. Mr Bush instead called on the world's largest producers of CO2 to set a voluntary goal for reducing the gasses that are causing the planet to heat up. If there was progress, it was that he didn't exempt the US from the list.

"By setting this goal, we acknowledge there is a problem, and by setting this goal, we commit ourselves to doing something about it," Mr Bush said in a speech ending two days of talks at a White House- sponsored climate change conference. "We share a common responsibility: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while keeping our eco-nomies growing."

European participants denounced his remarks as "deeply cynical". One delegate described his address as naked attempt to derail the efforts of 80 heads of state at this week's UN summit on climate change.

EDIT

Members of Mr Bush's administration are now on the verge of breaking ranks with his policy. Hank Paulson, US Treasury Secretary, said in New York this week that the world faced "very, very bad outcomes" in the future if nothing was done to reduce carbon emissions.

EDIT/END

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article3010183.ece

Yeah, but that didn't mean you'd say "No" when he asked, did it, Hank? :eyes:

[DS1]

1. We commit ourselves to voluntary caps

in other words, we ain't doin shit!


Fuck you Bush, you piece of shit.

[razzleberry]

4. mandatory caps would be no better

(Kyoto treaty limits take effect in Jan 08, I anticipate
a complete breakbown)

why set limits that almost nobody respects?

there would be only one country stupid enough to
respect the limits.

[pscot]

5. Sounds like you and the pRez

are on the same page. Unfortunately, cynicism isn't real helpful in our present fix. If we don't get our shit together now, our kids will pay a high price.

[razzleberry]

6. caps, whatever type, are a red herring

What is needed, is for Canada and Europe
to pass national laws.

That is the only way for Canadians and
Europeans to enjoy the benefits of
lower greenhouse gas inventories.

[rodeodance]

2. Ha, Paulson is no more to brake ranks with bush than condi IS!

[Rageneau]

3. These damn Republicans put loyalty to Party even above loyalty to Planet!

I really believe that conserative republicans would be satisfied if the Earth wound up being nothing but a chain of parched islands -- just so long as there was an American flag and a "No Homos" sign on each one.

[Kolesar]

7. A large number of the GOPs in the Ohio legislature claim that "global warming is a hoax"

According to Gov Strickland's , D-Ohio, energy advisor