Even as Sunday’s statement of Jacques Chirac that G8 leaders were “heading towards an agreement” had bolstered hopes, George Bush described the Kyoto Protocol as a “lousy deal”. The world is now expectantly looking to British PM Tony Blair, the host of this week's G8 summit, to facilitate an accord on climate change. While Bush credited Tony Blair for “some of the discussions” on sharing technologies with regard to climate change, he clearly indicated a “No” to signing the Protocol to slash emissions.
Isolated in his stance, Bush acknowledged the human role in the world's climate change justifying America’s burning of fossil fuels with a “so are others” attitude, stating that ratifying the protocol would only destroy the American economy. America’s stand however, may derail Blair’s dual promises as President of G8 to table issues of African aid and debt alongside that of climate change.
With all the other G8 powers Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia signing the protocol to cut emissions of carbon dioxide, there are still many issues that need to be ironed out.
After backing the war on Iraq to the hilt, the British PM’s expectation in return of a concession from America, the world’s largest consumer of fossil fuel, may be illfounded. Bush’s retort of not viewing their relationship as “one of quid pro quo” seemed to put paid to this expectation, as did his statement of Britain’s support being based on what was “best for keeping the peace”.
Meanwhile, the summit had the customary sparring between France and Britain, as their relations touched a new low with each blaming the other for the failure of the European Union’s budget talks in June. Chirac earlier joked at Britain’s expense saying “The only thing they (the English) have ever done for European agriculture is mad cow”.
Environmental groups are increasingly concerned that America has been taking a stance that is “utterly insufficient” without accepting the scale and emergency of the problem that lies before the world.
Jennifer Morgan, an expert with WWF said that the absolute minimum was done on the science and that there was nothing new in the action plans set out by the G8. Holding the summit in conjunction with the “Live 8” concerts had attracted world attention to the discussions that would determine the future course of action on African poverty as well the environment. But for now, the discussion seem to center around an America Versus the rest of the world debate.
