China, Russia and Saudi Arabia water down global warming, what can we do?

Question

Link;
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070406/sc_nm/globalwarming_scientists_dc

Everyone one loves to finger the U.S. but it seems that the U.S. is getting on board despite our own self interested politicians. Now the big thing is, will China and it's large industrial complex listen? Russia?
So when it comes to war and the demonizing of the U.S. the writing is always plainly written on the wall that if the U.S. weren't around to blame, then China and the power hungry ilk within would stand out more clearly.
When will the world accept that mankind is just plain to selfish and power hungry to ever ensure our survival on a global scale. So let our fate be as it may. Our greed will do us in.
Do you agree?

Answer 1

Have to admit that I didn't read the link you provided but I have read the report itself and the summary of last nights meeting so I know the details.

There were 4 or 5 countries that displayed a desire to see the report 'watered down' - Saudi Arabia, China, India and the US with Russia as a possible fifth.

The US were seeking to have the report drafted in such a way that it implied less urgency and less certainty. However, it's true to say that the US has certainly moved more towards accepting global warming than it had previously. Until recently there was a much more forceful denial amongst policy makers and politicians. Today there is a general acceptance but a desire to play down the seriousness and some relectance to take steps to alleviate potential problems.

As to whether our greed will do us in - I doubt it, there are solutions that are being examined, eight are being given serious consideration with two current front runners. Both work on the principal of carbon dioxide sequestration. With such a system in place we can mitigate the effects of climate change without having to radically alter our lifestyles.

Answer 2

First, the countries that want the report "watered down" are the biggest producers of oil, and the US: the biggest consumer of it. As for anyone who calls the report "alarmist", what is the harm in erring on the side of caution? It only took from the dawn of the industrial revolution until now to ruin the planet, so why not get a jump start on fixing it? And finally, as sick as China is, they are blowing us away in photovoltaic use and production, so who is really getting on board?

Answer 3

I spent most of 1995 in China.
I was often asked what I would do if I were them. (They wanted to know how to make money.) I saw massive pollution everywhere I looked!
I answered: I would avoid ruining the environment. It would cost far more to clean up the mess than I costs to avoid making the mess in the first place.
They weren't interested in hearing that answer.
Today you cannot see any new photographs of any major city in China that is not gray with smog.
Enough said?