During the recent global warming talks in Montreal, the U.S. once again made it clear that it has no intention of complying with mandatory greenhouse gas emission targets. The U.S. seems to think the problem can be solved by volunteerism and new technology.
The problem is not technology; the problem is adoption of technology that we already have. The problem also is a refusal to truly embrace the considerable benefits of conservation, which includes efficiency improvements that can be enhanced by technology.
The primary role of the U.S. in Montreal was to sabotage the talks. The U.S. claims it can deal with emissions by pursuing its path of creating and sharing new technology. Well, if that is true, then what does the U.S. have to fear by signing up to specific goals? The answer, of course, is that the U.S. doesn’t intend to accomplish meaningful reductions in greenhouse gases because it doesn’t really believe there is a problem and it is unwilling to sacrifice one dollar of GDP if that is required reduce gases.
The United States is an international outlaw and pariah with respect to the global warming issue. It has done everything possible to sabotage the international community as it even objects to others setting their own goals on GHG reduction.
The other countries of the world have negotiated long enough. It is clear that any further negotiations on this matter will yield nothing of tangible value, at least while Bush is in office. Sound familiar? As such, the other countries of the world should levy a carbon tax on U.S. goods or embargo them altogether.
This government must have a death wish.
Posted by: Peter on December 11, 2005 3:59 AM