BCT Editorial – 6/6/07

This page was last updated on June 9, 2007.

Two options; Editorial; Beaver County Times; June 6, 2007.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“As the Bush administration drags it heels when it comes to controlling emissions that contribute to global warming, consider this: The United States emitted more than one-fifth of the world’s total carbon dioxide emissions in 2004.”

[RWC] Actually, this is a lie. What the editorial should have said was “one-fifth of the world’s total manmade carbon dioxide emissions.” You’ll note that nowhere in this editorial will you find mention of total CO₂ emissions, both manmade and natural, and how that compares to total atmospheric CO₂ content. You can probably guess why.

“What that means is that any approach that does not include the full and willing participation of the United States is bound to fail.

“The Associated Press reports that the United States emitted 21.9 percent of carbon dioxide in 2004. China was No. 2 at 17.4 percent.”

[RWC] I’m sure it was an oversight <g>, but the editorial failed to note China’s – as well as India and other developing countries – emissions are increasing while U.S. emissions are slowly falling. It’s been reported China is starting up one new coal-fired power plant per week.

“After the United States and China, the drop-off was huge. Russia was responsible for producing 6.2 percent of emissions; Japan, 4.7 percent; India, 4.1 percent; Germany, 3.2 percent; Canada, 2.2 percent; United Kingdom, 2.1 percent; South Korea 1.8 percent; Italy, 1.8 percent; France, 1.5 percent; Australia, 1.4 percent; Spain, 1.3 percent; Brazil, 1.3 percent; and others 29.1 percent.

“Given these numbers, the leaders of the United States and China have two choices. They either take the lead in restricting CO2 emissions or do a little as possible.

“The Bush White House had made it quite clear that it will take the latter approach, which makes the results of the 2008 presidential election even more critical when it comes to the environment.”

[RWC] The Bush administration policy has been the same as that of the Clinton administration. That is, if the treaty doesn’t include everyone, we won’t participate. I don’t believe we should participate at all, or at least not until someone can prove manmade global warming is both real and bad.