US rules out joining Kyoto treaty

Found on BBC News on Tuesday, 07 December 2004
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The US has told a UN conference on global warming that it has no intention of re-joining international efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The chief American negotiator at the conference in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires ruled out any move to sign up to the Kyoto Protocol for years.

Dr Watson, who is leading the American delegation here, told a news conference that this was not the moment for the US to reassess its policies.

But Dr Watson admitted that even if the US achieved its target, it would still be producing 15-16% more greenhouse gases while the rest of the industrialised world was committed to an absolute reduction.

He was scathing about the way the rest of the world was approaching climate change, arguing that the Kyoto Protocol was a political document and not based on sound science.

When the UN tells you not to invade Iraq, ignore them. Ok, fine, ignore them and do it anyway (against the wish of the world (forgot that "coalition of the willing", it's not even good for a laugh)). Later, when you're stuck and the arabic world hates your guts, call for help and expect the UN to do so. Now the UN asks you to join Kyoto; forget their help and ignore them again. This is not how world politics work, Dubya. Go on and isolate yourself and see who cares (but don't cry for help).