Bush Proposes Productive Environment
June 6th, 2007
Bush Jr launches into his penultimate G8 with a final chance to slag off Arab leaders along with his best mate Tony - remember last year's "Yo, Blair" incident? - but his paramount concern must be how many bodyguards to take into his "private" chat with Russian leader Vladimir Putin tomorrow.
But second on the list is climate change, and he's come with his homework done.
Granted, his proposal relies on voluntary enforcement rather than a carrot-and-stick system - though this may well be the only practical way to get developing countries on board.
The US plan also calls for greater investment in renewable energy technologies that can promote an economically sustainable switch away from fossil fuels.
Despite that, Bush won't let its heavy reliance on alternative fuels grind discussions with Russia to a halt.
And given the choice between global warming and a new cold war, I know which I'd choose.
