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Politics : The Environmentalist Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (12486)	5/12/2007 9:46:43 AM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 36921

"SCIENCE IS UNDER ATTACK--BUT FROM WHOM?" Why, from the oil people in the WH, of course... US 'bids to water down global warming declaration' Peter Walker and agencies Friday May 11, 2007 Guardian Unlimited The US is fighting to water down a declaration on global warming being prepared for next month's G8 summit, it was reported today. Reuters said Washington was objecting to specific targets and arguing against significant UN involvement. The US stance risks provoking a major rift with Germany, which hosts the annual summit of the G8 industrialised nations in the Baltic Sea resort of Heligendamm between June 6 and 8. Reuters reported that Washington was objecting to pledges to limit global temperature rises by 2C this century and to reduce total world greenhouse gas emissions to 50% below their 1990 levels by 2050. The US has also questioned whether the UN is the best forum to tackle the issue, and has rejected a section of the declaration saying that carbon trading markets are a way of developing alternative technologies. "They have rejected any mention of targets and timetables, don't want the UN to get more involved and refuse to endorse carbon trading because it must by definition involve targets," Reuters quoted a "well placed" source as saying. The German chancellor, Angela Merkel - whose country holds the rotating G8 presidency - will host the leaders of fellow members Britain, the US, Russia, Canada, Japan, Italy and France. Leaders from China, India, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil will also attend the meeting. Ms Merkel has spoken of her determination to push through an ambitious plan to combat global warming following an EU-wide deal agreed in March. However, she faces resistance from the US and Canada. "There is a very serious game of poker being played, which is very disappointing at this late stage and given the scale of the problem," Reuters quoted another source as saying. "It is an open question whether Merkel will be prepared to accept a watered down declaration or break with G8 tradition and declare a failure on climate change. Either way, the ink will still be wet when the final declaration is made." The only current international agreement on the issue, the Kyoto protocol - which has never been signed by the US - effectively expires in 2012, and negotiations to find a successor have so far proved extremely sluggish. It is hoped that a strong declaration at the G8 meeting could prompt progress at a major UN-arranged summit of world environment ministers in Bali in December. environment.guardian.co.uk