The Washington Post reports that at the Global Warming Conference over the weekend in Indonesia, delegates from over 190 nations, including the United States, came to an agreement that both the industrialize nations and those developing nations would commit themselves to measurable, verifiable steps for facing the global warming problem. That was a first.
The U.S. was represented at the conference by Paula Dobriansky, U.S. undersecretary for democracy and global affairs. She told the delegates that the U.S. was not willing to accept language calling on industrialized nations to deliver measurable, reportable, and verifiable assistance. That comment brought about boos and hisses from the delegates and sharp rebukes.
The U.S. relented and changed its opposition after several other nations blasted the U.S. position. Kevin Conrad, Papua New Guinea's ambassador, told the U.S. that if you can't lead, get out the way and leave it to the rest of us. The South African minister of environmental affairs and tourism said Dobriansky's comments were unwelcome and wanted to know why Washington was not doing more.
Leaders of developing nations accused Washington in blunt terms of pressing them for commitments while refusing to make its own. The U.S. tried all week to scuttle the conference with rigid demands and had to back down in the end. Former V.P. Al Gore took the Bush administration to task for not supporting the conference and not doing its part.
Mr. Bush continues to think he is King of the World and can push other people around. The leaders in Indonesia took their stand and let their voices be heard. Our Congress should take note and bring Mr. Bush under control here at home before he makes any more reckless decisions that harm the U.S. and its people. Seven years into his administration and Mr. Bush still can't lead the world on important issues as did past Presidents.
2 comments :
It's important that all of the nations of the world come together and tackle this extremely important issue. However, we ALL need to start doing our share to help the environment. There's more that I can do but I have made a contribution myself. I have replaced all of the light bulbs in my house with the energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. I have replaced my older top loading washer and dryers with front-loaders that use much less water and energy. I replaced my aging central unit which uses Freon with a new model that uses the environmentally-friendly Puron. I recycle cans, bottles, plastics and paper as often as possible. There are MANY things that each of us can do to contribute. Demanding action from our government is good but it's going to take ALL of us to make the drastic changes needed to save our environment.
I too and many people I know have started to do the things Johnny is talking about. Thats good and should be kept up. I would encourage all americans to take part.
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