Al Gore went from Oslo to Bali (talk about a change in climate) to address the U.N. climate conference where many different countries are trying to come up with a plan to tackle the problem of global warming. He knows where the big problem (one of two actually, see China) lies, in his own backyard.
Thanks to President Bush, the U.S. has fallen off the path of leadership and on to one of subservience to the energy industry. Instead of fighting the problem of CO2 emissions, Bush wants to let those that emit the greenhouse gas to do as they please, with only a feign attempt at trying to limit carbon emissions. On a brighter note, Gore is confident that the next Administration will join the world consensus on taking vital action.
From The Huffington Post:
BALI, Indonesia — Nobel laureate Al Gore accused the United States on Thursday of blocking progress at the U.N. climate conference, and European nations threatened to boycott U.S.-led climate talks next month unless Washington compromises on emissions reductions.
The former vice president urged delegates to take urgent action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, and told them that the next U.S. president will likely be more supportive of international caps on polluting gases.
"My own country, the United States, is principally responsible for obstructing progress here in Bali," said Gore, who flew to Bali from Oslo, Norway, where he received the Nobel Peace Prize for helping alert the world to the danger of climate change.
While the leaders at the conference want real numbers, Bush's representatives use vague language on what the U.S. will do. Understandably, this has angered many participating countries and is threatening to dismantle the entire gathering. Talking about the problem is not going to do anything unless we set actual goals for change. The technology is out there to meet substantial reductions, but our government refuses to budge. Instead, they want to have their own Major Economies Meeting, where the tone will be more of the same rhetoric from the large polluters like the U.S. and China.
Gore is right, the onus is on us...and we have to sit idly by until George is shown the door.
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