Beyond Kyoto
Yesterday, the AP reported that 25 European Union and 13 Asian nations pledged to set new emissions reducing targets beyond those established in the Kyoto Protocol. The 1997 Kyoto Protocol brought 35 nations together in agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. China and India, however, were not included, and the U.S. outright rejected it.
A joint statement from the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Finland said the 38 countries in agreement will share clean energy technologies and work with international financing and developing institutions to encourage investment as they realize that longer term solutions will require technological breakthroughs.
Here's to hoping the Bush administration will act responsibly.
[Source: AP via MSNBC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom Roberts 9:46PM (9/12/2006)
Act responsibly? Our administration? Not likely, unless it benefits big business in some way. Any policy backed by Bush and the Republicans will first benefit themselves, and then later the world if it proves profitable. Long term solutions are not our forte in this country. "Wham, bam, thank you, ma'am." "I'll take mine now, thank you." "What's in it for me?" That's us. No one's willing to give up anything for the future. Maybe, indeed, the end is near.....
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