Conservative excuses on environmental policy

Baird just follows the U.S. and then defends his action by claiming that there is no use doing anything or taking a progressive position when the U.S. will not go along. This contrasts with the Europeans. Far from Canada being on the world stage as far as environmental issues is concerned we are the world stooge. Baird also is going to wait until late 2009 and the UN conference to come up with anything new. No wonder the Conservatives are losing ground even against wimps such as the Liberals.



Don't expect climate deal at G-8 summit, Baird says TheStar.com - Canada - Don't expect climate deal at G-8 summit, Baird says
Ottawa looks beyond this week's global warming talks to stance next U.S. administration will take
July 06, 2008 Les WhittingtonOttawa Bureau
CALGARY–Plotting its stance in the high-profile global climate change negotiations, the Harper government is looking beyond President George W. Bush to the next U.S. administration.
That's partly why Environment Minister John Baird is warning not to expect a breakthrough on efforts to fight global warming at the Group of Eight summit in Japan.
"I don't think we're expecting a deal" on emissions-reduction targets at the three-day meeting, Baird told reporters en route to Japan.
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda had once expressed hope that the G-8 leaders would reach a dramatic agreement during this year's summit that would signal their willingness to take drastic steps to tackle global warming.
But European members of the G-8, who favour tough emissions-reduction targets, are at odds with Bush, whose government never ratified the Kyoto Protocol for reduction of greenhouse gases.
In recent years, Canada has been harshly criticized at home and abroad for siding with Bush on the key issue of which countries should agree to mandatory emissions cuts in the years ahead.
Like Bush, Prime Minister Stephen Harper says there's no point in large, developed economies pledging to meet tough targets unless developing countries like China and India agree to binding greenhouse gas reduction plans of their own.
With developing countries arguing forcefully that it's up to the major polluters among industrial nations to take the lead, this issue has contributed to the slow pace of international co-operation on global warming.
Trying to find the middle ground in this global struggle over how fast to attack the causes of climate change, the Harper government is now focusing beyond the G-8 on global negotiations being sponsored by the United Nations.
After saying no breakthrough is likely in the next few days in Japan, Baird told the media an agreement "will come under the United Nations auspices in Copenhagen."
International talks to develop a follow-up agreement to Kyoto, which expires in 2012, are slated to wind up at a conference in Copenhagen in late 2009. About 190 countries, including Canada and the U.S., are taking part.
Harper has made no secret of the fact that he expects the next U.S. administration, whether led by Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama or Republican John McCain, to be more committed to tackling global warming than Bush.
And Baird is defending Canada's stance, saying the Harper government has already set emission reduction goals for 2020. But critics say the government's plan is too weak to bring about the stiff cuts needed if Canada is going to play its part.
The G-8, which also includes Britain, France, Italy, Russia and Germany, meets in Hokkaido, Japan, today through Wednesday.