The U.S. needs to take a leading role in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.  Why?  Two reasons:

  1)  Virtually all now agree that global warming is man-made and most believe that our present course is likely catastrophic.  Indications: In 2003, the fourth hottest year since 1880,  35,000 Europeans died in a heat wave;  we watch as glaciers recede and ice shelves break off into the sea; increased severe weather including drought and floods leading to hunger, and hurricanes.

  2)  Because we are the largest emitter of greenhouse gases.  If we are not acting, why should other countries?  (We are very fortunate that most are acting anyway.)  This situation makes the U.S. look like Neanderthals - short-sighted, selfish and greedy; in a word, un-evolved.) 

The U.S. has chosen an obstructionist position.  Ten years ago we refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.  Here are two articles published within the last week that provide an update on international greenhouse gas emissions.  Bottom line:  seems that using our knuckles to assist in walking is looking better and better for the U.S. (sorry, we do have a representative government), while the Chinese have shared their first climate action plan.

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From the Associated Press last week -
U.S. rejects EU-Asia emissions reduction
"James Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said the United States is not against setting goals but prefers to focus them on specific sectors, such as reducing dependence on gasoline and cleaner coal. 'The U.S. has different sets of targets,' he said."
Read the full article

It's been 10 years since signatories to Kyoto started (in some cases increased) specific actions to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases, and the U.S. is still talking about what we may do -- some day.

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From the Capital Times - Madison, Wisconsin today -
China has plan to cut pollution
In advance of an international summit, China has offered action but rejected limits
"China acknowledged Monday that it soon may become the world's biggest source of harmful greenhouse gases but said the U.S. and other advanced countries must take the lead in fighting global warming because they had been polluting heavily for longer."
(Article not yet posted)

        

 

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