Global warming dilemma
Dec 12, 2005
Industrialised 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.
Industrialised 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 UN 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 US 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 US climate negotiator Harlan Watson walked out of a session of talks overnight, saying Canada’s proposal for dialogue on long-term actions was tantamount to entering negotiations.
“By walking out of the room, this shows just how willing the US administration is to walk away from a healthy planet and its responsibilities,†said Jennifer Morgan, climate change expert for environmental group WWF.
Regardless of the US resistance, the countries participating in Kyoto will be announcing an agreement to launch negotiations next year for the second phase of the protocol.
President George W Bush pulled out of Kyoto in 2001, arguing that mandatory cuts on emissions from fossil fuels would hamper growth and job creation.
Reuters
On the final day of the November 28-December 9 UN 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 US 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 US climate negotiator Harlan Watson walked out of a session of talks overnight, saying Canada’s proposal for dialogue on long-term actions was tantamount to entering negotiations.
“By walking out of the room, this shows just how willing the US administration is to walk away from a healthy planet and its responsibilities,†said Jennifer Morgan, climate change expert for environmental group WWF.
Regardless of the US resistance, the countries participating in Kyoto will be announcing an agreement to launch negotiations next year for the second phase of the protocol.
President George W Bush pulled out of Kyoto in 2001, arguing that mandatory cuts on emissions from fossil fuels would hamper growth and job creation.
Reuters