US Climate Envoy Axes 40% GHG Reduction By 2020 For Developed Nations - AP

[hatrack]

MEXICO CITY -- President Barack Obama's climate envoy dismissed recommendations that the United States and other developed countries reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases 40 percent by 2020. "The 40 percent below 1990 (levels) is something which in our judgment is not necessary, and not feasible given where we're starting from, so it's not in the cards," Todd Stern said Tuesday at a conference on global warming.

Stern spoke at the end of the two-day meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, a gathering of 19 nations and the European Union that together produce 80 percent of the world's greenhouse gases. The group, called together by Obama, is trying to build a replacement climate change treaty for the expiring Kyoto Protocol.

A panel of U.N. scientists has recommended that industrial countries cut carbon emissions by 25 percent to 40 percent by 2020 to avoid a catastrophic rise in sea levels, harsher storms and droughts and climate disruptions. Some poorer and island countries are pushing for reductions of as much as 45 percent. After rejecting that idea, Stern pointed to progress on legislation before the U.S. Congress that would require lesser reductions. He said the Waxman-Markey bill is expected to move to the floor of the U.S. House this week for debate, which he said is "quite good news."

The bill calls for a 17 percent cut in U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 2020 from 2005 levels, and an 83 percent reduction by mid-century. Carbon dioxide, produced by burning coal and other fossil fuels, is the leading manmade greenhouse gas that scientists have linked to global warming.

EDIT

http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1102ap_lt_mexico_climate_change.html

[pleah]

1. They just don't get it. We don't have that long to wait. n/t

[imdjh]

2. Why? Because the temp has been flat for the last 30 years?

Because it might get cooler and take all the fun out of life?

[pleah]

3. Did you forget to use the sarcasm tag?

http://www.climatechangefacts.info/


http://www.greenfacts.org/studies/climate_change/index.htm

[hatrack]

4. Just remember, pleah - the "Ignore" feature is your friend!

:hi:

[pleah]

5. Thanks.

:hi:

And, thanks for putting this info up.

I have been here almost two years and have never used the ignore button,....yet.;-)

[imdjh]

6. You won't be able to ignore your power bill.

Unless you live in a utilities included rent controlled apartment, I suppose. Or if you live some place where you wear sweaters in the summer and coats in the winter so you can brag about not having to use heat or AC.

It's easy to be onboard with something until someone, even someone you don't like tells you how much it's going to cost. In this case, President Obama is on record saying that this is going to cost a fortune, and that you and I are going to be the ones to pay for it. Not the elusive robber baron class, not some industry which has no ability to pass the costs along to us- you and I.

MY power bill was rate-increased by 30% in January. It's a hit. Doubling that is going to hurt. This is not a case of not believing in Jesus or the Toothfairy, these are things which are going to affect you in a very real way.