Editorial: Greenhouse gas emissions
Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007 | 7:08 a.m.
Delegates from 187 countries - including the United States - have agreed to a two-year global discussion about cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The Bali Action Plan, which is more about planning than taking action, contains no caps or limits on greenhouse gas emissions. It does acknowledge, however, that "deep cuts in global emissions will be required" in the future and calls for two years of talks before such reductions are set.
The accord, signed in the last hour of a two-week international climate change conference, is the first major global warming agreement since the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997.
Throughout the conference, the Bush administration remained steadfast in opposing any agreement that called for specific cuts in emissions, despite the fact that the United States emits about a quarter of the globe's greenhouse gases.
President Bush has said developed countries should not be the only ones asked to abide by emissions reductions - a thinly veiled reference to nations such as China and India, whose energy consumption is beginning to rival that of developed nations.
During the conference, officials from China and other developing countries said they would seek "measurable, reportable and verifiable" ways to cut emissions, The New York Times reported Monday. Those nations are not likely to embrace mandatory reductions, however, so long as they fear that such reductions might interfere with their emerging economies. The United States could, by signing a treaty with mandatory reductions, demonstrate that being environmentally responsible and being economically successful don't have to be mutually exclusive.
It is ridiculous for Bush to insist that the United States - one of the most advanced countries in the world - be asked to do no more than less-developed nations such as China. We should be leading the world in cutting emissions, not playing follow the leader.
Ultimately, it will be up to Bush's successor to be more globally responsible and scientifically minded in taking significant steps to curb global warming.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Hearing set for ex-NBA star with $822,500 gambling debt
- Trial delayed for man accused of shooting 3 officers
- Kruger hoping his team will play with grit
- Ten minutes with Chelsea Handler is better than no minutes with Chelsea Handler
- Pricing out wagers on the Pacquiao-Cotto fight
- RTC bus driver fired, arrested after allegedly attacking woman
- Two second-graders involved in shooting at bus stop
- Privé owner files for bankruptcy protection in Florida
- CityCenter Realtors hit with cut in commissions
- Shanghai’s maglev: Flying with both feet on the ground
Blogs
The Greene Room
Predicting this weekend's Mountain West football slate
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 11: Child's play
Miech Again
UNLV prez Smatresk is ready for some basketball (5 Comments)
Politics: The Early Line
Harry Reid's fourth TV ad begins running today
The Greene Room
Chad Ochocinco vs. Anderson Silva? That would be a sight ... (4 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The Jet Stream: The three stages of chefdom
Miech Again
Rebels rookie Lopez says redshirting is his best move (12 Comments)
Calendar »
- 14 Sat
- 15 Sun
- 16 Mon
- 17 Tue
- 18 Wed
-
Pacquiao vs. Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
MGM Grand Garden Arena | 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Friends of India Diwali Celebration at Cashman Field with Dan Nainan
Cashman Field | 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Norm MacDonald at the House of Blues
House of Blues
-
Boulder City Art Guild Winter Fest Fine Art Show
Boulder City Parks & Recreation
-
John Fogerty at the Star of the Desert Arena
Star of the Desert Arena | 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s 5th annual Carnivale du Vin
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino | 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati








