The US is trying to “dilute” a declaration on global warming which will be discussed at the G8 summit in the next month. The US objected to try to limit global warming by 2C and cut greenhouse gases by 50% below 1990 levels by 2050.
This appears to be a growing trend for the US, as they still decline signing the Kyoto Protocol which will become invalid by 2012 but is pertinent to beginning to curve the increasing rate of greenhouse gas emissions.The US were described by one well –placed source as
“rejected any mention of targets and timetables, don’t want the UN to get more involved and refuse to endorse carbon trading because it must by definition involve targets.”
Inevitably conflict will arise at the summit hosted by Germany in the Baltic resort town of Heligendamm from June 6th-8th. The meeting will be attended by the leaders Britain, the US, Russia, Canada, Japan,
Italy and France. Other heads of state will also be present South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, China and
India as the key group of major developing countries.
Sceintists have predicted that the average temperature will rise due to carbon gases from burning fossil fuels for transport and power from 1.8-3C in this century. These fuels will possible cause floods, famines and put millions of lives at risk. As mentioned the US is not a signatory as Australia is also not, of the Kyoto Protocol which is the only global agreements on curbing carbon emissions.
The problems with the Kyoto protocol is that it is not binding on developing countries such as China and
India which are major contributors the greenhouse gases.The hope is that these agreements will set up new guidelines before the 2012 when the Protocol will no longer be applicable.
