US Delegation Walks Out Of Climate Talks - NYT

MONTREAL, Dec. 9 - Two weeks of treaty talks on global warming neared an end today with the world's current and projected leaders in emissions of greenhouse gases, the United States and China, still refusing to take any mandatory steps to avoid dangerous climate change.

The Bush administration was sharply criticized by other governments and by environmental groups for walking out of a round of informal discussions shortly after midnight that were aimed at finding new ways of curbing gases.

"This shows just how willing the U.S. administration is to walk away from a healthy planet and its responsibilities to its own people," said Jennifer Morgan of the World Wildlife Fund.

American officials declined to comment Thursday afternoon on their actions. They released a printed statement, but it referred only to the expected visit and speech later today by former President Bill Clinton.

EDIT

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/09/international/americas/09cnd-climate.html

and when more of the coast line is sinking into the sea, they might head back to the table again.

n/t

a genuine change in perspective-- a mindset that looks for solutions & effort to bring creativity top problems can make a huge difference.

So long as we are trying to deny the problem, there is no hope. If the US had the courage and leadership to face the challenges of global warming, perhaps solutions could be conceived.

They have to pay the price NOW - they can't be cloistered away somewhere, immune to the effects of their actions. Here and now they have to face the consequences. I want instant karma for them.

eom

as opposed to the rest of us.

Besides, think of the investment opportunities if you had to purchase your daily allotment of oxygen.

We can't hear you... and even though we can't hear you we are taking our ball and going home.

Environmental groups distributing whoopee cushions with Bush's picture on them - just above the slogan "Emissions Accomplished".

:evilgrin:

getting our way so we are going to throw a tantrum". Pathetic, truly pathetic.

No American walks. Ever! It's our birth right.

Which they had left parked 'round back.

By the way -- your comment is one of the funniest ones I've seen this week!

:thumbsup:

:sarcasm:

because Clinton will be speaking at the conference and they're
jealous or something. Pigs that they are.

It must hurt pretty badly when the last Good Guy in charge shows up unexpectedly and then proceeds to show YOU up, bigtime. Well deserved, too.

I heard from my landlord, who just got back from the conference. (He is kicking himself for leaving early, because he would really have liked to hear Clinton!) Lots of local and state people who are keen to support the process. If the New England reps are doing what they did last year in Argentina, making emission trading deals with the EU -- the "official" delegation is probably seething with rage already! Having Clinton show up and tell them, to their faces, that they are WRONG ... this is the cherry on the dessert!

So many people are going behind Bush's back on this one, it's a wonder there is any room left back there!

Bush-administration officials privately threatened organizers of the U.N. Climate Change Conference, telling them that any chance there might’ve been for the United States to sign on to the Kyoto global-warming protocol would be scuttled if they allowed Bill Clinton to speak at the gathering today in Montreal, according to a source involved with the negotiations who spoke to New York Magazine on condition of anonymity.

Bush officials informed organizers of their intention to pull out of the new Kyoto deal late Thursday afternoon, soon after news leaked that Clinton was scheduled to speak, the source said.

The threat set in motion a flurry of frantic back-channel negotiations between conference organizers and aides to Bush and Clinton that lasted into the night on Thursday, and at one point Clinton flatly told his advisers that he was going to pull out and not deliver the speech, the source said.

“It’s just astounding,” the source told New York Magazine. “It came through loud and clear from the Bush people—they wouldn’t sign the deal if Clinton were allowed to speak.” Clinton spokesman Jay Carson confirmed the behind the dustup took place and that the former president had decided not to go out of fear of harming the negotiations, but Carson declined to comment further.

cont'd...
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/15314/index.html

One moment they're claiming that they're upset with the "global conscience" comment in Paul Martin's speech. Now they're saying it's all Clinton's fault.

If they're going to play the blame game, they should at least get their stories straight. (Maybe the next complaint will be that the caterers forgot to provide blueberry muffins, so that ruined everything!)

to handle the destruction such caused isn't important enough to dwell on.

Aren't we supposed to be relieved that the "grown-ups" are in charge now?

"make NOLA the first Green City"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4512696.stm

A friend recently traveled there and spoke of how bad it was.

Their rate of breast cancer incidence has increased four-fold in the last few years and its not hard to figure out why.

I can offer therapy.

...Bill Clinton and Al Gore represent America when it comes to environmental issues. They are the true American representatives in exile.

How will our friends forgive us for allowing his criminal cabal to gain control of our country?

We have become very similar to the former USSR.

The super-rich who control our Nation care only about obtaining more money and power.

Money truly is the root of all evil. That is quite clearly demonstrated by the super-rich who control the US government.