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December 16, 2007 | Agreement was seemingly reached in Bali yesterday for the new international climate change agenda that will succeed the 1997 Koyoto protocol. Most serious environmental groups believe the agreement was seriously weakened by the US and other wealthy nations at the expense of poorer and weaker nations. At the time of this article, major US media had published little of consequence regarding the new, albeit weak, agreement. The quotes below are all sourced from foreign media.
When it appeared the US delegation was unwilling to agree to any significant accords that would constitute an overall agreement, the delegation was booed by many of the remaining delegates and others. Then, a delegate from Papua New Guinea publicly admonished the United States stating, 'If you are not willing to lead, get out of the way'. It is probable that future US delegations on many issues may hear such language unless a significant spirit of cooperation develops amid the American public and such wishes can overcome corporate opposition that has much more influence over the US Congress. Michael Bloomberg, the Republican Mayor of New York, who has an ambitious emissions plan for the city, told a fringe meeting: 'The real problem is Congress. They're unwilling to face any issue that has costs or antagonizes any group of voters.' Angus Friday, Grenada's ambassador to the UN and chair of the Alliance of Small Islands, many of which may disappear as sea levels rise, said: 'We are ending up with something so watered-down there was no need for 12,000 people to gather here in Bali. We could have done that by email.' Green groups and scientists warned that the agreement was dangerously weak and did not commit countries to the ambitious cuts required. Greenpeace International said it was disappointed. 'The Bush Administration has unscrupulously taken a monkey wrench to the level of action on climate change that science demands,' said its executive director, Gerd Leipold. US officials also pointed out that, despite a pledge to cut emissions by an average of 8 per cent by 2012 in the Kyoto protocol, the EU-15 nations have so far cut emissions by only 2 per cent and that, in the last recorded year, 2004-05, their emissions rose. Other countries that had objections to the deal's key elements were Japan, Russia and Canada. Disappointment with the US is said to hinge primarily over 'lack of detail about any key pledges'. It is unclear whether these pledges would be actual key efforts undertaken or monetary commitments. Compare the following with mainstream American media reports - when they finally appear. Editorial: Bali Road Map, Arab News, Saudi Arabia Late-night drama pushes US into climate deal, Guardian Unlimited, UK Baird disappointed by 'watered down' Bali agreement - CBC News - Canada. ___________________________________ 12.16.2007 |