cyclist2 said:
Other countries in the world pumping **** into the air that arnt signituries to the protcol and couldnt give a rats about signing anything....
...Others (USA, India, China...) are (much) worse than us, therefore we shouldn't take a lead? Other Nations conduct torture, therefore we shouldn't sign anything to say that we won't? If we are not prepared to take a (belated) lead, we don't actually sound very developed at all. We actually sound more like a spoilt child who is not prepared to take responsibility for the standard of living we enjoy.
cyclist2 said:
...Australia's polution is less than most countries, solar energy wind energy,polution laws ect are being used here...
...Therefore it should be fairly easy for us to be able to commit. In addition to all the 'good' work that we do, we also do plenty of harm, and have plenty of room to improve. It appears strange to me that many large companies are embracing the carbon-credit approach, but our Government is scared off by it.
cyclist2 said:
...A signed piece of paper isnt going to solve global warming for 3rd world economies becuse they cant afford to make the modifications to there factorys, save them bricks for the 'wall'.
...I don't think anyone has claimed that signing a piece of paper is going to solve global warning for anyone. It is a reference point only. Signing pieces of paper doesn't 'solve' wars, or anything else, but it does provide a reference point from which everyone can judge the behaviour of themselves and others. Have a look around at other agreements / co-operations that are in place, and see how hard those Countries on the 'outer' work to become one of the 'inner' (eg. Turkey's efforts to join the EC).
The 3rd World Countries can make improvements with support (eg. as Malaysia has reduced / restricted logging of primary forest through a combination of pressure and incentives).
One thing is for sure - As long as 1st World Countries, such as Australia and the USA, refuse to be held accountable for their contributions, it is very difficult for anyone to point fingers at others for their lack of response and commitment in accepting any responsibility for the condition of the planet.
I work in the industry involved in pumping hydrocarbons out of the ground as fast as we can, and my work takes me to quite a few 3rd World Countries (I'm currently at home in Perth taking a break before heading back to West Africa). We (1st World Countries) are raping and pillaging the World's resources, whilst making only token gestures towards recognising the problems of the future. I'm a part of the problem - we all are. Whilst I continue working at depleting the World's resources so that we can all enjoy our carefree lifestyles (supply and demand), I am also working to reduce my personal contribution to the problem - possibly more guilt-assuaging, than stellarly effective, but it is a start.
We need to stop waiting for the USA to take the lead on everything. We should have big enough cajones to pave the way. It's called leading by example.