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Surprise! The U.S. agrees to Global Warming Deal

  2. woodywoodbeck
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In a dramatic reversal Saturday, the United States rejected and then accepted a compromise to set the stage for intense negotiations in the next two years aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions worldwide.

The White House, however, said in a statement that it still has "serious concerns" about the agreement.
woodywoodbeck

8 responses // Surprise! The U.S. agrees to Global Warming Deal

  • http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/onlybrawny/Pictu...
    What are these 'serious concerns?' I'd love to hear them, it seems to me that the only concern the White House, and other institutions, has is how the agreement is going to affect their business.

    They should have an empty field outside so they can all plant trees to offset their carbon footprints...they'd have a forest in no time!
    mattbrawn
  • Let me just quote the most interesting part of the article. The White House said the negotiations must "clearly differentiate" and link responsibility with the level of emissions, size of the economy and energy use among developing countries.

    "In our view, such smaller and less developed countries are entitled to receive more differentiated treatment so as to more truly reflect their special needs and circumstances," the statement said.

    What does this mean? Bush is deeply concerned that the cheap slave labor in the 3rd world, which is also cheap because it has ZERO environmental laws, would cause undue stress on US companies. I mean, 99 percent of the reason to go to India or Mexico or China or Vietnam is specifically to avoid any costly environmental or labor laws. In the US you generally cant dump your toxic raw sewage into the drinking water (but they do it anyway) but in the "developing economies" you CAN do just that.

    The big concern for Bush and the lazy CEOs is that if the 3rd World is required to adhere to the same clean water, air and environmental standards that we white, er, I mean US citizens enjoy then all the economic advantage of exploiting, er, I mean relocating to these "developing economies" will evaporate.

    Now we are getting to the heart of the matter. Bush isnt crying himself to sleep worrying that the 3rd world economy may suffer. Oh no. He is terrified that Acme Steel or XYZ Industries may LOSE MONEY if they cant just dump cancer causing toxic waste into the drinking water as they get to do now in a "developing economy."

    On a side note, I just love that phrase. America does not have any homeless or poor. What we have are individuals who are classified as "developing economies."
    crob80227
  • I'm sure it'll be a long road ahead for the delegates in Bali but I'm so happy that the American government is finally realizing that they need to join the band wagon if we ever hope to steam the effects of global warming. So far in America I've seen all talk and no action but maybe this agreement, over the next two years, can be the turning point!
    devo64
  • I'd like to know the difference between this agreement and the Kyoto Protocol, which has been passed by EVERY developed country in the WORLD apart fron the US. I think this is probably just another strategy for the government to postpone signing the Kyoto Protocol. I wish I could see this article as positive change.
    LampShadeHat
  • I agree with lampshadehat, I am skeptical of the value of our "agreement". crob80227 has it down pat.
    fastjerry
  • Me too matt...
    chocolate_boy
  • The way I understand it is the White House is playing hard to get right now but making small agreements to make the European countries happy for the time being. But the Bali talks are going to be going on for the next two years, after George W. Bush is out of office. These are questions we should be asking all the presidential hopefuls out there and elect the one that will actually do whats right for our country and the world.
    devo64
  • Agreed Devo64.
    Chique

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