The Devil’s in the details…
As I said in my post yesterday, the United States is attempting to water down the statement to be made by the G8 Summit. The want to change the wording from this…
“We firmly agree that resolute and concerted international action is urgently needed in order to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and sustain our common basis of living.
“To this end we will, in the face of the United Nations Climate Change Conference at the end of this year, send a clear message on the further development of the international regime to combat climate change.”
to this…
“Addressing climate change is a long-term issue that will require global participation and a diversity of approaches to take into account differing circumstances.”
I see the difference. Do you see the difference?
As reported in The Star, the U.S. also opposes the inclusion of targets and timetables in the communiqué, including a call for actions to limit the rise in global temperatures in this century to two degrees Celsius, and to reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Canadians can do little to influence the head-in-the-sand approach by the Bush administration. But we CAN do something to limit their success, by ensuring that OUR government gets the message loud and clear that support of the U.S. in this stance in unacceptable.
In 1939, Canada supported the British and entered the war against the Germany. It took the Americans 2 years to follow suit. Now is the time for Canada to step up again and show the world that we take this threat seriously.
Do what you can. Write your local paper. Write your MP.
And when you vote, vote for real leadership. Vote Green.
