US hardens stance on climate change
The UK’s Independent is reporting As Blair leaves Washington, US hardens stance on climate change.
As Tony Blair left Washington yesterday for his last visit as Prime Minister, the Bush administration was acting to scupper international efforts to combat climate change.
Harlan Watson, President Bush’s chief climate negotiator, rejected any caps on US emissions or participation in carbon trading. “That’s not our agenda,” he said.
Leading scientists and policy makers have been meeting in Germany over the past two weeks to lay the foundations for a new international agreement - a “son of Kyoto”, the landmark protocol designed to reduce harmful emissions of greenhouse gases. The negotiations came after economists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported earlier this month that greenhouse gas emissions, which are causing the atmosphere to warm, can be brought under control - but only if governments act decisively.
I’ve said this a number of times and I’ll say it again now; we can not rely on our governments to help us. They have demonstrated that over and over again. But you have the power to make a difference. Start small, in your own lives, your own homes and your own places of employment. If you run a company, consider the legacy you want to leave, for your staff, your shareholders, your customers. If you have kids, consider the future they will have to grow up in. Climate change, caused by you, and me, and everyone we know, is changing our planet now. Don’t put off the chance to be the change you want to see in the world. — DS
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