Latest comments posted about Debate: what would you tell the G8? on ChinaDialogue en-gb http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/2173-Debate-what-would-you-tell-the-G8- http://staging.chinadialogue.net/images/cdlogo.gif http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/2173-Debate-what-would-you-tell-the-G8- This is a ridiculous subject. Kyoto Protocol is no more than a game set by the developed countries to fool the developing ones. The so-called route map of Bali Island and post-Kyoto era is but a framework now. At the moment, European countries have already achieved a dynamic balance whose need for energy no longer increases absolutely. Thus they are willing to retain and ensure the stability and safety of the energy supply. I think the oil price should keep soaring. The study on economy and energy will focus on the solar energy and bio-energy only when the oil price is high enough. And the high price of oil could make the price of these kinds of energy more competitive in the market. The western countries are not planning on spending a lot on this direction-turning. Instead, they are pointing figures at the threat from the developing countries in the market economy. This is simply unacceptable. In a free market, the price is the best mediator. We should make full use of it, rather than whining about the political issues. It’s a more direct solution to the damage that the global climate change brings to human. What the developed countries need to learn is that in terms of value in economic system, the recourse and environment of the developing countries are as important as theirs. Or, they should be aware that it will be their territory that the rising sea level floods the most. And the skin cancer caused by the ozone layer holes is costing them more money than any other country in the world. (Translated by Zheng Shen) Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:59:58 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7653 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7653 George Bush turned up at G8 apparently only to prevent any useful progress being made on climate change. He talks about leading the world to a global deal. Do me a favour. He has stood in the way of any progress for seven years -- everyone is waiting for him to leave. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:03:07 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7628 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7628 The power you (we in the West) have comes alongside a responsibility, certainly for historical emissions (that's the "common but differentiated responsibilities bit from the Convention, yes). So the west needs to lead a low-carbon revolution, spread the technology and the capacity, make sure the Millennium Development Goals are achieved, not deferred. To show seriousness, deep domestic cuts before carbon trading. (not instead of, just before). Stop spending money on useless nuclear weapons etc and spend the real money on clean tech, now. A fair deal for the developing/majority world will mean major dislocation (some improvement, in some sectors) for the West. If political and cultural leaders don't start educating their electorates about the urgent need for this dislocation/preference for the poor, then no matter what wonderful deal gets signed at Copenhagen, it won't be ratified and enforced. Leading to policy failure, leading to higher still emissions. Leading to...?? Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:16:48 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7618 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7618 I would tell the G8 to get serious and set a global stabilisation target - the lower the better. Does anyone really believe they are strong enough to do this though? Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:39:05 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7606 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7606 They certainly haven't shown the strength so far. It feels like they've been blown off course by worries about the economic downturn. What is tragic and perhaps ironic is that they have also been impeded by discussions about the oil price. Surely you would think the high price of oil is a reason to boost efficiency and take serious action on climate, rather than postpone action and endanger the very existence of our planet. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:43:25 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7607 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7607 In the short-term don't you think the G8 are right to be concerned primarily with global food prices, given that people face an immediate risk of starvation? It happens that an increase in global oil prices is not unconnected to an increase in the price of food. Failed attempts to combat climate change, in the form of subsidies for biofuels, have also made the situation worse. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:48:32 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7608 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2173#comment-7608