Environmental Policies

A seemingly long time ago, not terribly far away, the good ole US of A prided itself on being a cutting edge international leader in progressive causes; civil rights, freedom of speech/press, etc?

Progress in George Bush’s America is defined in vastly different terms and the causes we now choose to undertake are progressively regressive. Leaders from the European Union came to an agreement today in Belgium that over the next 13 years, their 27 nations would greatly reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, which emit harmful greenhouse gases. By 2020, 20% of EU energy will hopefully be produced through sustainable, green sources and 10% of autos will be powered by biofuels.

This pact all but double-dog dares the US in particular, but other industrialized nations that also lag considerably behind in this field, to get their collective acts together. Calling the deal “the most ambitious package ever agreed by any institution on energy security and climate change,” European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso states, “We can once again say to the rest of the world, Europe is taking the lead, you should join us in fighting climate change.”

As almost a side note, it was announced today that Brazil and the US will promote biofuel production… I happen to promote the impeachment of President Bush, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen! The US is arguably the most powerful nation in the world and the best we can do is promote biofuel production?! I guess that makes us the Don King of industrialized nations; we’re certainly just about as principled.

I am particularly amused by Bush adding to his already amazingly lengthy list of blatant contradictions: ‘The Bush administration has rejected the Kyoto agreement [in the past], saying it would hurt the US economy.’ (AP)

“A good alternative fuel policy leads to more jobs not less.”
-George W. Bush, Sao Paolo, Brazil (3/9/07)