Bali negotiators reach agreement after U.S. ‘U-turn.’
Bali negotiators reach agreement after U.S. ‘U-turn.’
The delegates at the UN climate conference on Bali managed to agree on a roadmap for fighting climate change. The roadmap — which lacks concrete carbon reduction targets — came after the U.S. was forced to change its position:
The last-minute deal came on Saturday after the US delegation made a U-turn in a final negotiating session, where Paula Dobriansky, leader of the US delegation, and her colleague James Connaughton were the target of naked animosity. When Dobriansky announced that the US would not sign up for the Bali roadmap, boos echoed through the room. Afterward the Americans were sharply attacked by several delegations. “If you’re not willing to lead, please get out of the way,” said a US environmental activist representing Papua New Guinea.
The US was opposing a proposal by the G77 bloc, which represents developing countries, for rich nations to do more to help developing countries combat increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
However opponents of binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions, such as Japan or Russia, did not come to the defense of the US, and the Americans gave in. “We will go forward and join consensus,” said Dobriansky. This time the delegation was rewarded with a standing ovation from some participants.
Andrew Revkin has more.
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41 Responses to “Bali negotiators reach agreement after U.S. ‘U-turn.’”
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how’s Larry Craig doing over there?
haven’t heard any washroom staged lord of the dances
December 15th, 2007 at 1:03 pm“If you’re not willing to lead, please get out of the way,†said a US environmental activist representing Papua New Guinea.
Me thinks Papua will be a sudden owner of WMDs.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:05 pmMe thinks TP is dedicating today to Global Warming.
∞
December 15th, 2007 at 1:08 pmWhen America does realize they MUST do something about the Energy crisis/climate change problem, they will probably have to buy the technology and equipment from other countries.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:14 pmMe thinks TP is dedicating today to Global Warming.
∞
Comment by alphainfinityomega — December 15, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
Don’t worry. I’m sure if you turn on Fox some big breasted celebrity did something noteworthy.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:14 pmNothing more embarrassing than that Papua New Guinea Smackdown.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:15 pmWhat better way to understand just how the U.S. is held in the eyes of the world than when the council is booing for our obstructionism. We should be ashamed of ourselves for allowing our leadership to act this way. Save us, save this country, save the world, dump our leadership–impeach Bush and Cheney now.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:16 pmcouldn’t agree more, badmoodman; “lead, or get out of the way”
maybe harry should try that one on dubbie.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:21 pmBadger:
SolarRegion Freiburg is a long term development vision that the city of Freiburg in southwest Germany has embraced since 1986, which has resulted in multiple benefits for both the environment and the local economy.
http://www.solarregion.freiburg.de/ solarregion/ freiburg_solar_city.php
December 15th, 2007 at 1:22 pmThe Bali Conference is a pretty big deal, regardless of the outcome.
Just look at the reaction of other delegations when US avoid involvement. And this is not the UN where everyone is so corteous and hypocrite, this is a bunch of scientists and decision makers really worried about the state of the planet that don’t give a damn about diplomacy or fancy soundbites.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:23 pmNothing more embarrassing than that Papua New Guinea Smackdown.
Comment by Badmoodman — December 15, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
I wish the citizens of this country were more willing to challange obstinent represenatives. I’m a believer in instant feedback, even in the form of a rotten tomato.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:28 pmWith the way the dollar is going, thanks to the fiscally irresponsible GOP, getting out of the way seems to be the plan.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:30 pm“If you’re not willing to lead, please get out of the way,â€
said a US environmental activist…
ha! someone was actually able to SAY it…
not just stick it on the back of a car…
and it WORKED!
December 15th, 2007 at 1:34 pmThis is a positive step. Of course, the problem will be getting nations (particularly the U.S., but others as well) to comply.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:37 pmthey will probably have to buy the technology and equipment from other countries.
Comment by Badger — December 15, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
more likely: they will have to buy it BACK from others…
that pissss me off the most - that this country was on it’s way…
it was a fad, but was catching on, and made attractive tho necessary…
and poof! it was gone… to germany, to japan, to ELSEwhere…
…
just popped in for a bit…
December 15th, 2007 at 1:39 pmthat’s all!
katy
No, it really will be about having to buy it from the rest of the world.
About 60% of your scientists are atheists.
Now, I talk to a lot of American atheists and I hear things like “A Darwin fish on you car means it will get keyed repeatedly”, I see your Congresspeople declaring a war on secularism, I see freedom of religion being denied to atheist soldiers.
I see polls repeatedly show that 55 to 61 percent of America’s voters will not vote for an atheist as president no matter what the issues are. I see a certain liberal on this site proclaim that all strong atheists are fanatics - and then try to use strong atheists taking offense at that, as evidence for his argument - because you know, we should all just shut up and march to the gas chambers.
I see conservative talk show hosts declaring culture wars on atheists - and anybody else who believes in secularism.
I see a war going on against sciences in general, be it through the anti-global warming crowd, the anti-stem cell research crowd or the anti-evolution crowd.
And I foresee your scientists getting fed up and leaving.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:50 pm“If you’re not willing to lead, please get out of the way,†said a US environmental activist representing Papua New Guinea.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:52 pm- - It was noted that on this activist’s car bumper was the sticker, Ass, Grass or Gas…Nobody Rides For Free!
I see a war going on against sciences in general
Comment by Bruce Gorton — December 15, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
This has got to be a Big issue in the 08 elections. The Republicans need to be pressed on this issue, as they play to their base.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:58 pmThis is a National security issue. It makes us look foolish in the world.
our students are 29th, worldwide, in science, though I’m sure some pompous righties have a completely incoherent, p.r.-style reasoning that explains that away.
December 15th, 2007 at 2:06 pmOur science curriculum in this country is in its abysmal state due to the educational requirements of science teachers; they need education degrees, not science degrees. Totally backwards.
December 15th, 2007 at 2:11 pm“This agreement is a vital step forward for the whole world… The Bali roadmap agreed today is just the first step. Now begins the hardest work, as all nations work towards a deal in Copenhagen in 2009 to address the defining challenge of our time.”
Gordon Brown
Lets hope they allow the talks in Copenhagen December 2009 to run into 2010…As by then shit for brains Bush will be GONE…All going well the sensible party will be in power and the world can once again breath easy.
December 15th, 2007 at 2:26 pmThe rest of the world is leaving us behind, while our government stagnates, moaning about issues like gay marriage and the war on Christmas. Yes, the rest of the world snickers at us, and for good reason. They shake their heads, and wonder how we ever allowed a bunch of right wing, hypochristian, environment hating, corporate butt-kissing warmongers take control of our country!
December 15th, 2007 at 2:43 pmAnd I foresee your scientists getting fed up and leaving.
Comment by Bruce Gorton
And I would like to add to Katy that the vast majority of scientists that put US in the first place were exiled Russian, Germans, Austrians, English running from persecution.
December 15th, 2007 at 3:09 pmSo it’s possible for members of the Bush administration to be shamed into doing what is right? I must be dreaming, or misunderstand the post…
December 15th, 2007 at 3:19 pmUh, Husk? W will be gone on January 20, 2009. Please don’t make it longer than it actually is!!
December 15th, 2007 at 3:19 pmBruce, I think there is a double game in the US, and you only gave us a brilliant description of what happens as a facade.
There is no more conservative developed country in the world than the US and this situation hasn’t changed in a long time, so when foreign scientists began populating academic jobs in US universities, this situation already existed and they didn’t run away, far from it.
Scientists are seen like rat labs in some ivory towers working with secret machines and that stuff by almost any common population, not just the US one. However, I think no other country spends so much in science and technology than the US, as retrograds as US govts seem, they sure trust a lot in science and tech advances in order to be on top of the world in the arms, space and energy race.
So, the “we hate science” motto is a facade to appease the most rotten religious wing of the US, meanwhile they keep sending and recruiting the best of the best in their Universities. That’s one of the things I admire from the US.
December 15th, 2007 at 3:21 pm“If you’re not willing to lead, please get out of the way,â€
Wow! This is very much like what I’m always saying to the trolls around here.
If you don’t believe in global warming and don’t want to help, then fine, but at the very least get the f-ck out of the way of the people who are trying to help!
December 15th, 2007 at 3:53 pmUh, Husk? W will be gone on January 20, 2009. Please don’t make it longer than it actually is!!
Comment by normalasf — December 15, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Oops…it just seems as if he’s been there for decades…Thanks for pointing my error out.
December 15th, 2007 at 4:06 pmFoiled again and made to look like polluting misanthropes and global criminal ignorants.
December 15th, 2007 at 4:23 pmAs Al Gore so aptly named his flick, all this is a very “inconvenient truth” for the US. It means that we will have to stop our greed machine; it means that we will have to change our evil ways.
December 15th, 2007 at 4:26 pmAnd if we don’t get “out of the way”, we’ll be pushed out of the way and will join the ranks of third world countries by the new giants. Our intentional disinterest in scientific technology will leave us in the dust regardless - it’s already impossible for us to do any catching up at this point, thanks to the Chimp and the greedy corporations who run his regime. In actuality, it’s probably already occurring - the only idiots are the american people who want to believe the lies about themselves and our very sick, twisted government.
December 15th, 2007 at 4:28 pm“If you’re not willing to lead, please get out of the way,†said a US environmental activist representing Papua New Guinea.
Sad day for the USA when we are being upbraided, and rightfully so, by Papua New Guinea.
Geebus, can’t Nov 08 come sooner??
December 15th, 2007 at 4:30 pmMemo to Democrats: See what happens when you stand up to a bully.
December 15th, 2007 at 4:31 pmMemo to Democrats: See what happens when you stand up to a bully.
Yes, if only our democrats had the same courage that the delegats from Papua New guinea have.
Or… the same moral compass. I somtimes wonder whether the democrats are being cowardly… or complicit.
December 15th, 2007 at 4:36 pmWe do not need to do anything. As it is, we are exporting our industrial and manufacturing base abroad, and soon Americans will be too poor to full up their gas guzzling machines. Our carbon emissions are bound to go down. The balls in China’s court now, they actually emit more carbon than the US now since the only thing we make are the capital goods to build factories, which we export, and weapons, which we also export (one way or another).
The Pentagon is the biggest energy user in the US, our war machine guzzles 340,000 barrels of oil per day. This is more than many countries consume, but we consume a lot of it in the 130 countries where we have bases or operations, and not just in the US.
http://www.tomdispatch.com/ post/ 174810/ michael_klare_the_pentagon_as_global_gas_guzzler
December 15th, 2007 at 6:15 pmhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22226310/ watch the video….
December 15th, 2007 at 6:17 pmOur science curriculum in this country is in its abysmal state due to the educational requirements of science teachers; they need education degrees, not science degrees. Totally backwards.
Comment by Frosty Cupcake — December 15, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
The best science teachers are those who are excited about science. How is that backwards?
December 15th, 2007 at 6:34 pmThe best science teachers are those who are excited about science. How is that backwards?
Comment by Proud American Liberal — December 15, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
The best teachers are those excited about teaching. Not everybody can be the best. Being excited about math, science, grammar, or Modern European History doesn’t always translate to a young, spoiled, jacked-up-on-sugar, hormonal group of American tweens.
December 15th, 2007 at 7:34 pmNot as long as you keep sending your students to our universities. Visit a U.S. university sometime. You’ll notice, if you pay attention, the substantial number of foreign students, especially in graduate programs.
The U.S. is still an excellent place to be for academics and researchers. Our high school education has its problems. We have way to many people who mistake a college degree in engineering or business for an education. But at the top levels of education and research, where the scientists are, we’re still at the top. It’s our politicians, elected by the uneducated masses (high school graduates, businessmen, engineers), who suck.
December 15th, 2007 at 10:44 pmBut at the top levels of education and research, where the scientists are, we’re still at the top. It’s our politicians, elected by the uneducated masses (high school graduates, businessmen, engineers), who suck.
Comment by leopold — December 15, 2007 @ 10:44 pm
Doesn’t negate the fact that our best scientists are leaving for countries that are less fundamentally religiously fanatic than ours.
December 15th, 2007 at 10:51 pmLeopold
I wouldn’t exactly call engineers uneducated, nor people who hold accounting degrees.
December 16th, 2007 at 5:33 am