The headline from the Group of Eight summit in Japan this week was that the leading industrial nations pledged to cut global greenhouse emissions by half by 2050:
• Yet for the first time, the G-8 also agreed that any meaningful climate program would have to involve industrializing nations like China and India.
• For the first time, too, the G-8 agreed that real progress will depend on technological advancements.
• And it agreed that the putative benefits had to justify any brakes on economic growth.
In other words, the G-8 signed on to what has been the White House approach since 2002. The United States has relied on the arc of domestic energy programs now in place, like fuel-economy standards and efficiency regulations, along with billions in subsidies for low-carbon technology. Europe threw in with the central planning of the Kyoto Protocol -- and the contrast is instructive, says the Journal:
• Between 2000 and 2006, U.S. net greenhouse gas emissions fell 3 percent.
• Of the 17 largest world-wide emitters, only France reduced by more.
So despite environmentalist sanctimony about the urgent need for President Bush and the United States to "take the lead" on global warming, his program has done better than most everybody else's. That won't make the evening news. But the fact is that the new G-8 document is best understood as a second look at the "leadership" of . . . you know who, says the Wall Street Journal Journal.
Source: Editorial, "Kyoto's Long Goodbye," Wall Street Journal, July 11, 2008.
For text: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121573566257544347.html
Kyoto was a necessary first-step to put the issue into the agenda and pressure developed countries to start reducing emissions. The final format was not seen by anyone as optimal in the long-run. After they effectively started reducing emissions, it was even more in their self-interest to extend this worldwide. To go from nothing to this agreement was impossible (as seen in the original negotiations for Kyoto)
If the words turn into actions, it's a victory for Kyoto and a victory against people like you who actively deny climate change.
You're losing, buddy.
Originally posted by PalynkaI don't deny climate change/global warming -- it's called summer. What I have a problem with is blaming it on economic activity. Without economic activity, then there's no reason for any of us to be here. Fortunately, at the G8 Summit, President Bush schooled the other leaders and brought them back to reality.
Kyoto was a necessary first-step to put the issue into the agenda and pressure developed countries to start reducing emissions. The final format was not seen by anyone as optimal in the long-run. After they effectively started reducing emissions, it was even more in their self-interest to extend this worldwide. To go from nothing to this agreement was imposs ...[text shortened]... d a victory against people like you who actively deny climate change.
You're losing, buddy.
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterDSR reality #1: Global warming is just when summer comes around.*
I don't deny climate change/global warming -- it's called summer. What I have a problem with is blaming it on economic activity. Without economic activity, then there's no reason for any of us to be here. Fortunately, at the G8 Summit, President Bush schooled the other leaders and brought them back to reality.
DSR reality #2: Due to global warming, "the goal of achieving at least 50% reduction of global emissions by 2050"** is desirable.
*Note: "Global" means the Northern Hemisphere for our friend.
** Quoting from the G8's chair summary of July 9, 2008
Originally posted by PalynkaDo you know what life would be like if we attempted to reduce global emissions at 50% by 2050? Try imagining how they lived during the time of the American Civil War -- because that's the last time we were even close to living like that. Wouldn't you agree that it would be most unpleasant to give up air conditioning, central heating, cars, refrigerators, big screen TVs, etc., and to not even make a dent in the temperature that is hypothetically going to rise in 80 years? This sounds like a fools bet to me, or, is just another way to steal the wealth of the United States and use it to fund the United Nation's anti-poverty programs?
DSR reality #1: Global warming is just when summer comes around.*
DSR reality #2: Due to global warming, "the goal of achieving at least 50% reduction of global emissions by 2050"** is desirable.
*Note: "Global" means the Northern Hemisphere for our friend.
** Quoting from the G8's chair summary of July 9, 2008
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterFallacy. Technology and efficiency will not be the same by 2050. Reducing emissions to half is NOT about scaling everything to half, but mostly about providing adequate incentives for investments in alternative technologies and efficiency improvements.
Do you know what life would be like if we attempted to reduce global emissions at 50% by 2050? Try imagining how they lived during the time of the American Civil War -- because that's the last time we were even close to living like that. Wouldn't you agree that it would be most unpleasant to give up air conditioning, central heating, cars, refrig ...[text shortened]... the wealth of the United States and use it to fund the United Nation's anti-poverty programs?
Edit - And I note that you avoided comment on the glaring inconsistencies of your previous post.
Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter'Without economic activity, then there's no reason for any of us to be here.
I don't deny climate change/global warming -- it's called summer. What I have a problem with is blaming it on economic activity. Without economic activity, then there's no reason for any of us to be here. Fortunately, at the G8 Summit, President Bush schooled the other leaders and brought them back to reality.
My deepest sympathies.
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterShuddup, Cartman.
The headline from the Group of Eight summit in Japan this week was that the leading industrial nations pledged to cut global greenhouse emissions by half by 2050:
• Yet for the first time, the G-8 also agreed that any meaningful climate program would have to involve industrializing nations like China and India.
• For the first time, too, th ...[text shortened]... al, July 11, 2008.
For text: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121573566257544347.html
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterLife isn´t worth living without TV, a car and a fridge? You need to enrich your life a bit.
Do you know what life would be like if we attempted to reduce global emissions at 50% by 2050? Try imagining how they lived during the time of the American Civil War -- because that's the last time we were even close to living like that. Wouldn't you agree that it would be most unpleasant to give up air conditioning, central heating, cars, refrig ...[text shortened]... the wealth of the United States and use it to fund the United Nation's anti-poverty programs?
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterWasn´t asking you to apologise for progress. Progress is good. I´m just a little sorry that life is so small for you. What do you do in a power cut? Perhaps you should get yourself a hobby or something.
I don't make any apologies for progress because I like it.
EDIT: I kind of agree about the fridge though. Difficult to keep beer cold in the summer without the good old fridge.
Originally posted by Wheelyroot cellar😉
Wasn´t asking you to apologise for progress. Progress is good. I´m just a little sorry that life is so small for you. What do you do in a power cut? Perhaps you should get yourself a hobby or something.
EDIT: I kind of agree about the fridge though. Difficult to keep beer cold in the summer without the good old fridge.
Originally posted by WheelyWhy do you think I don't have any hobbies? I'm fairly active on chess side of this site.
Wasn´t asking you to apologise for progress. Progress is good. I´m just a little sorry that life is so small for you. What do you do in a power cut? Perhaps you should get yourself a hobby or something.
EDIT: I kind of agree about the fridge though. Difficult to keep beer cold in the summer without the good old fridge.