What can the rest of the world do about US Federal intransigence?

Question

In today's Guardian (UK) newspaper:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2088783,00.html

'The US has rejected any prospect of a deal on climate change at the G8 summit in Germany next month, according to a leaked document.'

...

'Germany's environment minister, Sigmar Gabriel, said the country was prepared to block decisions on other issues unless the US and other G8 members made concessions on the environment. "America doesn't want to commit to firm goals. We can't put the global future of our children at risk because of the narrow-mindedness of individual negotiating partners."'

What can we do? What can we lobby our representatives to do?

If you live in the US, how embarrassed are you by the presence of a moron in the whitehouse who's brain has been addled by too much oil money?

I refer the first answerer to the very first principle of the UNFCC, which the USA HAS actually ratified, and which invalidates any argument that developing nations should play as active a role in reducing emissions as developed countries.
"1. The Parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Accordingly, the developed country Parties should take the lead in combating climate change and the adverse effects thereof."

http://unfccc.int/essential_background/convention/background/items/1349.php

Answer 1

Whilst it's true that America hasn't ratified the Kyoto Protocol (along with Australia), many towns and cities are voluntarily trying to follow the requirements. I have a list of them but it would be too long to print (typed out it's 5 columns long).

However, the US as a whole isn't doing a great deal about carbon emissions. Levels of emissions continue to rise faster than most other countries whereas in Europe emissions have been capped and are falling in several countries.

I think the thing that will make America, and most notably the politicians, sit up and take notice is when they see the economic damage that is being done by not cutting emissions.

Those countries that have 'gone green' are seeing exports of their 'green products' flourish whereas American exports are falling. This is perhaps most noticable in the car industry - manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Citroen, Peugeot etc have all pushed for greater fuel efficiency and developed cleaner technology. The result is that these vehicles are in demand the world over and sales are booming. Conversely, the US manufacturers such as Ford and GM haven't 'gone green' and exports have fallen by 24%.

This alone has already cost the US economy billions of dollars, I think once the consequences begin to impact economically then more action will be taken.

What I find a strange concept is that the US is a very proud democratic country, one in which it's citizens will stand up and fight for the democratic rights of people. Yet the present government is ignoring the wishes of the majority (84% want action taken regarding climate change) - hardly democratic.

I think if you want to do something then it's as important to push home the economic impact as it is the environmental impact. But bear in mind, the whole concept of climate change is much newer in the US than many other countries. Whereas Europe, Japan etc have been dealing with climate change for 19 years, in the US it's only been an issue for about 5 years.

Answer 2

First, you should know that this moron in our whitehouse is no worse than the former moron in the whitehouse. The former moron had most of his fopahs inside the US. However, he was elected and is our president so I am not embarrassed, albiet maybe a bit saddened. I am more disturbed that foreigners are calling our president a moron.

Second, I admit that the US will resist firm goals.. usually because our leaders believe it is in its best national interest.

I have knowledge that other countries (e.g Canada) have taken the same stance against the US on environmental goals over the years. (in the 80/90s US and Canada were discussing how to reduce pollution in the great lakes. the US committed to a stringent pollution reduciton program. Canada said no problem we will just eliminate polution... which it did not do. but I have not followed that situation for a few years so maybe Canada has done something)

What can the rest of the world do? well it can stop selling things to the US. then the world will go into a depresssion and all economic activitiy will reduce .. that will reduce polluiton.. in the short term.

In fact, international law limits what a foreign government can do about the internal policies of nation.

Most Americans want to do the right thing and I think most of our government, including Bush, wants to do the right thing. They just have a difference of opinion about what is the right thing to do.

Answer 3

Actually, America HAS signed the Kyoto Protocol. Bush has promised to have it ratified as soon as China and India, as well as ALL countries are required to follow the same requirements. China and India, while the 2nd and 3rd place polluters, are both listed as exempt from these rules, leaving the largest burden entirely on the US. Germany may wish to force the US to accept this burden, but the fact remains that it will cost the US BILLIONS and will cause just as much economic hardship and recession as it would in China and India. We have stated that we will if they will. Go nag them.

Answer 4

The two biggest sources of CO2 emissions on the planet are the ocean and trees. I don't know how soon we can drain the ocean, but I think what we can do is band together and cut down as many trees as possible.

Answer 5

Well, they could start by not calling us names. People are not likely to listen to you if you are rude and disrespectful of them and their beliefs.