Bush’s Hot Air Didn’t Fool The World

Bush’s big plan to pretend to do something about global warming has come and gone. And the reviews are in. [Mic Check][Reuters]

At 17-nation climate talks in Paris (led by the U.S.) the world community was nonplussed.

German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel: “The president gave a disappointing speech.”

French climate change ambassador Brice Lalonde: “The American administration is starting to awake…It’s a bit late.”

European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas: “President Bush recognized the need for mandatory federal legislation to tackle climate change but what he proposed … will not contribute to the effective tackling of climate change.”

South African Environmental Affairs Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk:“We are looking forward to whoever succeeds the present (U.S.) administration, because we believe we can probably only do better.”

Right now, the European plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020. [Wonk Room]

How are they going to do it? With a “mandatory cap-and-trade system, performance standards, [and] international offsets.”

Bush’s plan, announced on Wednesday? Let greenhouse gas emissions increase until 2025…and take no other action to slow emissions besides offer tax cuts to industry.

It’s like saying “pollute as much as you want guys…oh, and here are some tax dollars too!”

We’re embarrassed…

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