US stands alone as world climate talks go to wire

[Judi Lynn]

US stands alone as world climate talks go to wire
Fri Dec 9, 2005 12:09 PM ET

By Mary Milliken and Timothy Gardner
MONTREAL (Reuters) - Industrialized and developing nations were close to a breakthrough on Friday on a deal to begin work on extending the Kyoto Protocol to fight global warming past 2012, but the United States resisted calls for new commitments to combat climate change.

On the final day of the November 28-December 9 U.N. conference on climate change, environmentalists said they were losing hope that the United States -- the largest producer of heat-trapping greenhouse gases -- would sign a separate agreement for all nations, not just Kyoto members.

Although the United States is not one of the 157 countries that have subscribed to Kyoto, Canada wants a deal on open-ended talks among all countries about long-term cooperation on climate change.

Delegates said U.S. climate negotiator Harlan Watson walked out of a session of talks overnight, saying host Canada's proposal for dialogue on long-term actions was tantamount to entering negotiations.
(snip/...)

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-12-09T170831Z_01_MOL760618_RTRUKOC_0_US-ENVIRONMENT-CLIMATE.xml

[Teaser]

1. "environmentalists said they were losing hope...?"

Hey guys, haven't you been paying attention these last 5 years? The * administration is not gonna come on board on this issue.

Why did you ever have hope? The only hope is that the next administration won't be crazy.

[54anickel]

2. US stands alone on sooo many things these days. Sort of odd for a

nation that pushes the idea of globalization, capitalism and democratization all for the good of the world :eyes:

But Bush can stand tall and proud, the ever rugged individualist and casting that image upon America as a whole to the world.

The world has got to be getting pretty fed up with the US standing alone these days. I'm, sure they'll be more than happy to watch the bully fall alone too.

Thanks WhistleAss!