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US rejects all proposals on climate change
John Vidal, The Guardian
The US has rejected any prospect of a deal on climate change at the G8 summit in Germany next month, according to a leaked document.

Despite Tony Blair's declaration on Thursday that Washington would sign up to "at least the beginnings" of action to cut carbon emissions, a note attached to a draft document circulated by Germany says the US is "fundamentally opposed" to the proposals.

The note, written in red ink, says the deal "runs counter to our overall position and crosses multiple 'red lines' in terms of what we simply cannot agree to".
(27 May 2007)

Japan calls for 50% reduction in emissions by 2050
Justin McCurry, Guardian
Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, unveiled ambitious plans today to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050 that would include the world's biggest emitters, the US and China.

"There is only one earth, and there are no national boundaries for the air," said Mr Abe, who will put the proposals up for discussion at next month's G8 summit in Germany.

...Japan, which will host next year's summit, is concerned that an insistence on numerical targets will discourage the US from signing up any agreement, particularly if other big emitters, such as India and China, continue to be exempted.

Today officials in Tokyo were quick to stress that Mr Abe's "Cool Earth 50" proposals were part of a non-binding "vision" for dealing with climate change.
(24 May 2007)
Related:
U.S., China Should Join Abe's Climate Plan, Aso Says (Bloomberg).
US asked to take role on climate (International Herald Tribune)

Merkel plays down G8 climate deal hopes
Hugh Williamson, Financial Times
German chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday played down expectations of a breakthrough on climate change at next month's G8 summit of rich nations, admitting she "did not know" if a pact on greenhouse gas cuts would be reached.

Germany, host of the summit at the coastal resort of Heiligendamm, is locked in tough negotiations with the US, which is refusing to endorse Ms Merkel's call for targets to reduce carbon emissions.

In her most detailed speech on Germany's summit expectations, Ms Merkel told parliament "we must significantly and quickly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to limit the earth warming".

The G8 should "develop a common understanding how climate change can be tackled", she said, adding: "I don't know if we will succeed in that at Heiligendamm."

Diplomats said Ms Merkel aimed to maintain pressure on the US to give ground, while also seeking to reduce post-summit criticism from environmentalists if targets were not agreed.
(24 May 2007)
Comment by Jerome a Paris: Europe also capitulates to Bush (on Climate Change)

Federal government slow to act on climate, so US states do
Brad Knickerbocker, Christian Science Monitor
Governors of both parties are taking the lead on finding ways to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
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"Lead, follow, or get out of the way" seems to be the message to Washington from political leaders around the country - Republican as well as Democrat - on climate change.

Governors of both parties are taking the lead on finding ways to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions that scientists say cause global warming.

On Monday, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. (R) of Utah announced his state would join five others (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington) and the Canadian province of British Columbia as part of the recently formed "Western Regional Climate Action Initiative."

"This isn't about party politics," Governor Huntsman said in a Salt Lake Tribune story about the announcement. "It's about doing the right thing for all of our citizens."

Governors of Western US states in particular worry about the possible effects of global warming, including declining water resources, drought, and wildfires. In the heavily forested Pacific Northwest, for example, scientists predict more trees will die because of insect infestations.
(24 May 2007)

Report says cities, towns can fight climate change better than feds
Michael Oliveira, CP
CP EXCLUSIVE: Report says cities, towns can fight climate change better than feds
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Canadians eager to push the government for action on the environment and climate change should stop wasting their time on federal and provincial politicians - who are delivering little more than "green rhetoric" - and focus on local leaders who have the power to get things done, says a new report obtained by The Canadian Press.

The report, by the environmental organization Sierra Legal, cites Calgary, East Hawkesbury, Ont., Hudson, Que., Montreal, Okotoks, Alta., Richmond, B.C., Toronto, Vancouver, and Whitehorse as examples of municipalities that took the initiative to address concerns about the environment rather than wait for help from federal or provincial officials.

Many of those officials are crassly using the environment as an issue to score points with voters, but local leaders are actually getting to work and getting the job done, said report author Justin Duncan.

"While our federal and provincial leaders are delivering green rhetoric, our municipalities are delivering green solutions," Duncan said. "Municipalities across Canada are actually implementing solutions on a lot of environmental challenges, and they have the ability to react to local needs a lot better."

It's estimated that up to half of the country's greenhouse gas emissions can be controlled or reduced by municipal governments, and Duncan said there are already lots of examples of early initiatives paying dividends.
(23 May 2007)