THE CRUX OF THE MATTER

Based on the Al Gore quote at the bottom of this post, he and NewEnergyNews came to the same conclusion about the Senate’s Energy Bill. But that's only part of what this is about..

China crucial in climate talks
June 30, 2007 (AP via USA Today)

WHO
Malaysia's deputy finance minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop; Japanese Environment Minister Masatoshi Wakabayashi; Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh; former Vice President Al Gore
emitters (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Climate Change: Whose responsibility? An important corollary: Developed countries’ multinational corporations are emitting GHGs in developing countries and 1st world markets are demanding GHG-emitting product-manufacture.

WHEN
- 2006: China emitted 8% more GHGs than US, taking over the top emissions spot. It emits 3 times what it did in 1990 and that is predicted to double by 2030.
- India expects their emissions to be 5 times larger by 2031.

WHERE
Singapore meeting of World Economic Forum on East Asia

WHY
- China and Malaysia delegates call efforts to get them to cut GHG emissions “economically unjust” and put economic development ahead of emissions issues.
- Industrial nations say if developing nations don’t help curb GHG emissions, catastrophic climate change will result.
- Coal is the worst source of energy for GHG emissions. China plans to build a coal power plant weekly for the next 5 years.
- But it is hard to condemn other nations when the Bush administration has refused to cooperate in climate change initiatives such as EU efforts.
what they emit (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Yakcop: "This is green imperialism…"
- Wakabayashi: "Without the participation of the United States, China and India — the main emitters — we will not stop global warming…"
Singh: "It is a fact that more and not less development is the best way for developing countries to address themselves to the issues of preserving the environment…"
- Yakcop: "Companies that are polluting in China are owned by American, European, Japanese and others. They are benefiting from cheap labor, from the resources, and at the same time accusing China of pollution…"
- Gore, on the recent Senate Energy Bill: "It was a disgrace disguised as an achievement…"