Bush To Be No-Show At U.N. Climate Summit
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Al Gore and the leaders of some 80 nations converge on the United Nations on Monday for a summit on the warming Earth and what to do about it.
The unprecedented meeting comes just days after U.S. scientists reported that melting temperatures this summer shrank the Arctic Ocean’s ice cap to a record-low size.
“I expect the meeting on Monday to express a sense of urgency in terms of negotiating progress that needs to be made,” said the U.N. climate chief, Yvo de Boer.
U.S. President George W. Bush, who has long opposed negotiated limits on the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, will not participate in the day’s meetings, but will attend a small dinner Monday evening, a gathering of key players hosted by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
On Thursday and Friday, Mr. Bush will host his own two-day climate meeting in Washington, limited to 16 “major emitter” countries, the first in a series of such gatherings that environmentalists fear may undercut the global U.N. negotiating process.
What is being discussed under the U.N. umbrella is an effort, focused on December’s annual climate treaty conference in Bali, Indonesia, to launch negotiations for an emissions-reduction agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.
The 1997 Kyoto pact, which the U.S. rejects, requires 36 industrial nations to reduce carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases - emitted by power plants and other industrial, agricultural and transportation sources - by an average 5 percent by 2012.
“A breakthrough is absolutely essential” at Bali to advance uninterrupted from Kyoto to a new, deeper-cutting regime, de Boer told reporters.
Monday’s event here, designed to build political momentum for the Bali talks, will feature California Gov. Schwarzenegger as one opening speaker, representing local governments worldwide.
The Republican governor and his Democrat-led legislature have pioneered state-level greenhouse-gas caps in the United States, with a law phasing in mandated 30-percent cuts in vehicles’ carbon dioxide emissions starting in 2009.
Former U.S. Vice President Gore, who gained prominence as a climate campaigner after the 2000 presidential election, will be a luncheon keynote speaker, and such international leaders as Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy will address sessions on such topics as ways to cut emissions and how to pay for it.
The U.N. summit and Bali conference will cap a year in which a series of authoritative reports by a U.N. scientific network warned of temperatures rising by several degrees Fahrenheit by 2100 and of a drastically changed planet from rising seas, drought and other factors, unless nations rein in greenhouse gases.
“What is particularly significant is the acceleration of the increase of temperatures in recent years,” Indian climatologist Rajendra Pachauri, head of that U.N. panel, told reporters here.
To try to spur global negotiations, the European Union has committed to reducing emissions by at least an additional 20 percent by 2020.
The Bush administration has shown no sign of ending its opposition to internationally-mandated targets under a binding treaty. Mr. Bush has said he believes Kyoto-style mandates would damage the U.S. economy, and they should have been imposed on fast-growing poorer countries, such as China and India, as well as on developed nations.
The U.S. administration has instead urged industry to reduce emissions voluntarily, and it is promoting research into clean-energy technology as one answer. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, leading the U.S. delegation, will address a technology session at Monday’s summit.
But environmentalists say mandatory emissions reductions are a necessary incentive for industry to buy such clean technology.
At the Washington meeting, the Bush administration will likely advocate “some kind of vague aspirational voluntary stuff,” said David Doniger, a veteran climate campaigner with the environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council. “That will interfere with the serious discussion of limits.”
De Boer, the U.N. climate chief, sounded a more positive note, pointing out that the Washington sessions will involve China and India, nations that all sides agree must eventually accept emissions limitations.
“This initiative of President Bush, when taken back to the larger U.N. process, can make a very valuable contribution,” he said.
But the U.S. would have to accept commitments, too, he said, or a Bali breakthrough would prove “very difficult” to achieve.
© 2007 The Associated Press
AWOL again!
At least our real President will be there.
THIS PERSONAGE MASQUERADING AS A MAN, AS A LEADER, AS A PRESIDENT, AS AN INTELLIGENT BEING, HAS FAILED HIS ACTING CLASS…HE REPRESENTS NO ONE BUT HIS TINY LITTLE PERSONAL WORLD, INSIDE IS TINY LITTLE PERSONAL ORGAN THAT HE THINKS IS A BRAIN. I am so enraged by his refusal to attend this conference - again - that I can barely contain myself. Bills of Impeachment, where are you???
Bu$h the inferior is the biggest wimp ever to be in a leadership role. He can’t stand free speech or any differing opinion or FACTS.
“Former U.S. Vice President Gore, who gained prominence as a climate campaigner after the 2000 presidential election, will be a luncheon keynote speaker.”
Yeah, he isn’t the former vice president; he is the current U.S. president, democratically and legitimately elected to the office.
That’s o.k. that he won’t be there. He wouldn’t understand it anyway.
Last weekend I went to the Teach-In put on by the International Forum on Globalization on the Triple Crisis: Global Climate Change, Peak Oil and Resource Depletion/Extinction. There was heavy emphasis on the urgency of dealing with this in a MAJOR way, right NOW. Specifically, as one panelist said, “We can’t let our governments leave Bali without a strong framework.”
Another thing several people said was that the United States MUST be a part of it this time; “otherwise China won’t move.”
And yet, we know that even if Bush went to Bali, his contribution would be like that of his father in Rio–obstructing any progress the world’s nations might be making. How can we resolve this awful quandary?
It seems to me the only solution is to send a loud message that someone other than the official negotiators appointed by Bush actually speaks for the US–perhaps James Hansen, an American climate scientist, perhaps Gore could be a part of the US Peoples’ delegation, some others. Then, an agreement could be crafted with a chance of actually doing what there is now common agreement must be done–reducing emissions by 80% by 2050. Bush would refuse to sign on, of course, which would hold things up–until January 20, 2009. During the campaign we must be sure any acceptable candidate swears (s)he will sign the Bali Accord. Then, if the new president does NOT sign it, or if Congress refuses to ratify it, we will have to initiate a general strike that will shut this country down.
We CANNOT go on accepting the actions of this criminal gang as legitimate just because the corporate press treats them that way. The damage has simply been too great. What we have spent on a criminal war that has killed over a million Iraqis and displaced about three times that many could have put us well on the way to having the solar panels and windmills to power all our homes and bsuinesses and schools, and/or setting up an efficient train system. But we couldn’t have that, because these bastards represent the oil companies. Someday they will be regardest as history’s paramount criminals, totally putting penny-ante crooks like Hitler and Stalin and Rockefeller in the shade.
No point him being there. It’s a waste of oxygen.
I went to a Teach-in put on by the International Forum on Globalization last weekend, on the Triple Crisis; Global Climate Change, Peak Oil, and Resource Depletion/Extinction. The urgency of dealing with the climate crisis was the main topic. As one speaker said, “We must not let our governments leave Bali without a strong framework.” This seems to mean an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Another thing several panelists said was that the United States MUST be a part of it this time; “otherwise, China won’t move.”
Yet we know that even if Bush did go to Bali, his role would be to try to obstruct the other nations’ reps from coming to an agreement. How can we deal with this quandary? It seems to me there needs to be a Peoples’ delegation from the US to Bali—perhaps it could be led by James Hansen, one of the world’s foremost climatologists. Bush would of course refuse to sign the Accord—so it wouldn’t go into effect… until precisely January 20, 2009, when the next US President is sworn in. We would have to make sure that any serious candidate swears to sign it—and if (s)he has not done so by January 21st, we would have to shut this country down with a general strike. It’s high time we stopped accepting the criminal actions of this cabal just because the corporate media acts like they’re legitimate! History is likely to regard them as the greatest criminals of all time, totally putting the likes of Hitler and Stalin in the shade. The Iraq War has killed a million Iraqis and displaced about three times that many—and the money we’ve spent for that war could have gone a very long way toward putting solar panels or windmills on our homes and businesses and schools, and/or setting up an efficient, high-speed train system. But that wouldn’t suit the oil companies, so we got a vicious, illegal war instead, and zero action on the most urgent crisis we’ve ever faced. It’s already too late to avoid severe effects from climate change, but it’s not too late to prevent the worst-case scenarios.
T
I wonder if he’s afraid someone will throw a bucket of water on him to see if he starts melting ala the Wicked Witch of the West?
“…My Fallow Amrikans,
As Commander-in-Chief and Kernel Cowardly Custard, I wanna welcome you today to my Alternative Environmint Confederance, sponsored by Exxon-Mobile, the Patriotic Jello-mint Chemical Co, and MonSatano.”
“As you all know, we today is bein’ not un-threatened by a terroristical Enviro-mint Disasters, and that too is being sponsored by my good friend over there, Ronald Dumsfeld and his Halitosis-Burton company.
We’d also like to welcome Enron Hubbard to this conference who a bit later on is gonna talk up the Thetan’s proposal to ward off unpatriotic, un-American flu germs using his new-fangled D.U. fly spray.”
“But let me tell ya’ folks, today we need to not more do, than we are not a bit less than un-nothing doing, to prevarication the offset in validificationary pretzels in the Axles of Weevils, - or else we’ll suffer at the hands, feet, and terror-wrists who, (since I done all that proud, patriotic 911 stuff!) are now plotting to take over Starbucks and ruin the good-Goddy-noddy name of Amrika,”
{…at this he energetically waves his small ‘Old Glory’ flag, but being made by starving Asian slaves in Kenneth Lay’s new offshore enterprise, the little stick breaks off and the paper bit flutters to the floor… }
“So, -on my Executive Washroom orders,” {…here he makes his customary sly, maniacal grin, - looking round the room to see if anyone is listening to this garbage…} “- I have announced that henceforth and hencefifth, and in perpiturity, all vehicles with an infernal combustion engine are to be fitted with a special type of exhaustion filter to prevent further pollutionatory products going into the sky.
– By-the-way folks, that’s where my Holy Savoury Jesiss lives, and he don’t like smoke and stuff up there, -everyday he personally tells me that thang, -in person…”
“As yo can all see, I have myself now been fitted with one of they thangs, and hell’s beef!! -don’t it just make a difference! See here now, - I’ll just light up this purely-for-medicationary-purposes giant reefer and…”
{ …at this, the hall erupts into pandemonium as drug-crazed Republicans surge forwards to try to grab a toke on Bush’s ‘medication’, and dozens are crushed in the stampede…}
______________________
* [Cut to CNN Newsflash] *
“We have just been informed that the Alternative Jello Environmint Confederance at Liberty Hall, Arkansas has been heralded as an unqualified success!
The President (who is also totally unqualified) has announced a $150 trillion dollar package, to be presented next week to The Richard Cheney Institute for Combating Peace, and this, says the President, will “help cut back exhausted omissions, and ensure all citizens of the USA will only be fined for coughing in public if they don’t hold a current ‘Licence to Breath’ certificate.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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… … …
Why is this news?
Unless the USA, the largest emitter of carbon pollution, seriously undertakes the meaningful measures necessary to curtail our contribution to greenhouse gasses, the less industrialized & third world nations will have no incentives to control their emissions.
This can never happen until Americans render ineffective the special interests and their supporting administrations that have prevented the necessary reforms through deception and fabricated science–albeit with the help of an apathetic populace and defaulting legislators.
Contrary to their assertions, the measures to reduce carbon pollution can only improve our economy and security by reducing our oil imports while improving our health & quality of life.
By placing unlearned and reckless individuals in the presidency over intelligent and principled candidates, those apathetic Americans deserve the worst government and environment that money can buy –ie such as Regan the great communicator to the ignorant) over Jimmy Carter; and Bush (chartered by God and oil) over Al Gore. Need I say more?
Read Naomi Klein’s Shock Doctrine.
“Bush To Be No-Show” if only it could be daily everywhere except for the ranch in Texas.
When Bush returns to Texas, can the US of A get rid of Texas?
Other world leaders will be spared his Pull-My-Finger gambit and impromptu backrubs.
THIS, somehow, seems to be missing everyone’s grasp of the situation. George’s job, set forth by GOD, is to do everything in his power to help GOD create “the-end-of-the-world.” Therefore, why should he worry about something as trivial as global warming. The FACTS are in. Innihalate the world population with numerous “Nukes” planted strategically so as to desroy 2/3 of the world’s population, so he and his neocon allies can be the chosen 144000 people who enter the KINGDOM OF HELL. OOPS, I meant the KINGDOM of GOD, in George’s mind. So, who cares about Global Warming? Think how warm the NUKES will make us.
I say it LOUD and I say it PROUD:
I HATE George W bush. (When writing the name of this monster, the “b” is NEVER capitalized, and never preceded by the word “President”.)
KEM PATRICK is RIGHT…
Bu$h the Inferior has been for most of his life AWOL…..
But this is now Criminal Negligence.
BU$HCO since inception have been systematically undermining the work of global scientific work to reverse global warming and climate change. A GLOBAL WAR AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENT….This will directly affect about a THIRD of the worlds population…Mostly Undeveloped Countries being poverty stricken and hence without the GDP to fund rescue planning to minimize harm on their populations…
PUT SIMPLY we are at a CRITICAL point in Human History where Bu$Hco’s wanton disregard for Scientific Evidence and CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE will threaten the survival and maintenance of BIO-DIVERSITY on the Planet. At a CRITICAL point where preventative action could be implemented BU$HCO is busy killing 1 Million innocent civilians in a OIL WAR of his own design and like a Neanderthal planning to repeat the same mistake in IRAN.
This in my opinion will make Bu$hCo go down in History as either purely EVIL and or a the GREATEST DESPICABLE NON LEADER in all of History …..
UN-COMMONDREAMS
that made me really laugh. it’s just too sad though, that this is the state of affairs.
ROBERT SETTGAST
no need to say more. we all know here what’s what, it’s the ‘apathetic’ crowd you mention who need to be stirred into action.
KEM PATRICK
save a mouse, eat a pussy.
Personaly, I’m glad Bush was a no show. Why? He is an embarrssment to America and humanity. Besides, Bush caring about global warming, thats a joke…just like congress.
It’s best that he stays away from these kind of events. He wouldn’t have a clue what anyone was talking about there.
bush needs to stay home and play his video games or watch Sesame Street.
he’s been a no show for 7 yrs.
The Chimp is such an arrogant, conceited POS. He doesn’t care. Period.
It’s good that we can laugh about it - otherwise we’d go stark staring crazy!
The one who matters most is there - Al Gore.
Thank goodness for Al Gore.