U.S. defends climate change position

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. defends climate change position
Biggest global warming conference since Kyoto begins in Canada

Monday, November 28, 2005; Posted: 10:25 p.m. EST (03:25 GMT)
MONTREAL, Canada (AP) -- U.S. officials told a U.N. conference on climate change that their government was doing more than most to protect the earth's atmosphere.

In response, leading environmental groups blasted Washington for refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol, a global treaty that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Canada opened the 10-day U.N. Climate Control Conference on Monday, with about 10,000 experts from 180 nations, to brainstorm on ways to slow the alarming effects of greenhouses gases and global warming. The conference aims to forge new agreements on cutting poisonous emissions, considered by many scientists to be the planet's most pressing environmental issue.

Dr. Harlan L. Watson, senior climate negotiator for the U.S. Department of State, said that while President George W. Bush declined to join the treaty, the U.S. leader takes global warming seriously. He noted greenhouse gas emissions had actually gone down by .8 percent under Bush.
(snip/...)

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/11/28/climate.change.ap/index.html

[pinniped]

1. Bizarro World doubletalk.

--Dr. Harlan L. Watson, senior climate negotiator for the U.S. Department of State, said that while President George W. Bush declined to join the treaty, the U.S. leader takes global warming seriously.--

The Asshole takes global warming seriously but not enough to join up. Sure, whatever, asshole.

--He noted greenhouse gas emissions had actually gone down by .8 percent under Bush.--

No one will believe that but Bizarro World citizens.

--"With regard to what the United States is doing on climate change, the actions we have taken are next to none in the world,"--

They don't proofread the speeches people write for them.

[Javaman]

4. Love that cool and healthy menthol flavor...

This is like the old cigerette commercials from the 50's tauting how smoking was a healthy habit.

These people are dispicable.

colossal racist failure*.

[Demeter]

2. That's What Happens When You Shift Manufacturing Jobs Abroad

Emissions in US decline. Also, with no money for gas, people drive less. If emissions were down but prosperity were up, then there would be something to brag about.

[hogwyld]

6. Oh so true

Not a whole lot of greenhouse emissions come from the burger flippers at Mickey D's. We don't make much here anymore, and China, and India are catching up to us real quick on CO2 emissions. As "developing" nations, they are exempt from Kyoto. I've been to China, and they burn so much coal, everything is gray. You can't see 1/2 a mile down the street on most days.

[Viking12]

3. Harlan Watson is a LIAR

U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases in 2003 totaled 6,935.7 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent, 0.7 percent more than in 2002 (6,890.9 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent). Although emissions of carbon dioxide and emissions of methane grew by 0.8 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively, those increases were partially balanced by reductions in emissions of nitrous oxide (-0.9 percent) and hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride (-0.3 percent). U.S. greenhouse gas emissions have averaged 1.0-percent annual growth since 1990.



http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggrpt/executive_summary.html

"Watson said the United States spends more than US$5 billion (euro4.3 billion) a year on efforts to slow the deterioration of the Earth's atmosphere by supporting climate change research and technology, and that Bush had committed to cutting greenhouses gases 18 percent by 2012."

Bullshit. The mis-Administration wants to cut GHG Intensity by 18%. A reduction in GHG/GDP is not a reduction in actual emissions. Misleading, lying fucks!!!!!

[Judi Lynn]

5. US rules out extra pledges on global warming

US rules out extra pledges on global warming
Reuters

Nov 29, 2005 — By Alister Doyle and Jeffrey Jones

MONTREAL (Reuters) - The United States ruled out making extra pledges to fight global warming beyond 2012 on Tuesday, angering environmentalists who accused Washington of blocking a 189-nation conference in Canada.

Chief U.S. climate negotiator Harlan Watson also strongly defended President George W. Bush's environmental record, saying emissions by the world's biggest polluter had fallen more in 2000-2003 than in the European Union.

Up to 10,000 delegates are meeting in Montreal, Canada, from November 28-December 9 to discuss new ways to fight a build-up of gases released mainly from burning fossil fuels in factories, power plants and cars.

"The United States is opposed to any such discussions," Watson told a news conference of Canadian proposals to launch talks under the U.N.'s climate convention about new actions to combat global warming beyond 2012.
(snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1356083

[Brooklyn Michael]

7. Bottom Line

A) The US is the largest producer of greenhouse gases IN THE WORLD. Bar none.

B) The reason Bush didn't sign the Kyoto agreement is because the companies owned by his Big Energy buddies would've had to spend money to cut their emissions....and cut into their profits.

And that's that.

[muryan]

8. heh

this only reaffirms that the bush administration actually believes the trash they are telling the american people.