G-8 Climate Scorecard Puts U.S. In Last Place

BERLIN — The U.S. has done the least among the world's eight largest economies to address global warming, a study released Thursday found.

The G-8 Climate Scorecards 2008, released Thursday ahead of next week's gathering of the Group of Eight on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, also found that none of the eight countries are making improvements large enough to prevent temperature increases that scientists think would cause catastrophic climate changes.

The gathering includes the heads of states of the U.S., Japan, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Russia.

Regine Guenther, director of the World Wildlife Fund Climate Change Program in Germany, told reporters in the German capital that G-8 leaders should commit to reducing emissions in their countries 40 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.

"If we don't achieve that, the world's climate will change in ways that we can't even imagine today," Guenther said.

The scorecard ranked Britain as the developed nation that has done the most to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and reach targets set by the Kyoto Protocol. France and Germany are close behind. Germany was praised for its investment in renewable energy.

"But all three countries are at best half as far along the road as they should be," a statement announcing the study said.

The scorecard was compiled by Ecofys, a Dutch consulting company, and commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund and insurer Allianz SE.

Joachim Faber, an Allianz board member who helped compile the scorecards, said a global emissions trading market is important to fighting climate change, and that the EU should lead its development.

"The EU-specific trading system we have at the moment must serve as model system for one that we can found outside the EU, for the world economy," he said.

The study criticized low energy efficiency in the U.S., but said there was hope in legislation under consideration by Congress and initiatives led by non-governmental groups.

The study also analyzed _ but did not rank _ five of the world's fastest growing economies: Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. "These countries cannot be measured with the same ruler as industrialized countries," the statement said.

Comments

[ashabot]

"the world's climate will change in ways that we can't even imagine today" - Regine Guenther, director of the World Wildlife Fund Climate Change Program (and thousands of scientists worldwide)

"...Can't even imagine..."

Instead we buy a cloth shopping bag and think we've done our part.

[JonW]

We should have sent Elmer Fudd to the G8 Conference ---or did we?
Its very unnerving and embarrassing to know we sent the world's biggest doofus to such
an important conference. Doesn't speak well for the collective intellect of the USA.

[MGhamma]

But he's our doofus. Sigh!

[Vyvjala]

The dolt looked like a section eight at this meeting...­..........­.......

[mollyjackson]

We will continue to be last!! Take the example of the Democrate Convention. What is the carbon footprint of this? This is the party that's telling us to change our lightbulbs. This is the party that wants to take us back to the Stone Age. For their own event, they're bringing in so much junk, it might have been more efficient just to build their own arena rather than go in there and tear this one apart, then have to rebuild it. And all that copper? How much energy to mine all that copper? How about transporting all this stuff? You can't put this stuff on Obama's little airplane. You gotta take this over the road, with diesel prices what they are now. All this wasted fuel for transportation. Anyway, that's the Democrats, and that's their big time convention. This story was so bad that Howard Dean actually put out a press release.

[fivecard]

Last on environment. Last on education. Last on health care. America can do better ... way better.

Go Barack Obama.

[texanna]

I'm surprised that the US didn't score low enough to get 10th place!

[paulbikes]

Were scoring at the bottom of the barrel across the board! Sweet!

[NTO08]

"These countries cannot be measured with the same ruler as industrialized countries," the statement said.

Tell that to Dumbyah who insists that India and China do more before US will...

[kasinca]

Corporatist Fascists like GWBushco don't need no stinkin' environment!

[kasinca]

The GOP will make stuff up about this and broadcast it on FAUXNOIZ to all those who are dying to hear an opposing opinion to reality.

[imsosure]

Gw et al come through again and we are disgraced once more in the global scheme. What a pathetic administration. This is what happens when you place an arrogant and incompetent boob in a position of responsibility. "The Peter Principle," is where as GW is a perfect example that "In a Hierarchy Every Employee Tends to Rise to His Level of Incompetence."

[Meah]

As my state continues to burn down, Bush goes to the Olympic Opening in China. Priorities of the Bush administration have ALWAYS been upside down. Have a great time, George. We don't want to insult the Chinese who are continuing to assault the Tibetans. My grandchildren will hold the Bush administration and the American people who put him there, responsible for their climate change misery. You legacy is shiet, George. For now and forever. Heckofajob!

[levibatgirl]

bush will claim to be number one anyway like he gave the credit to himself and mcbush for the GI Bill.

[jwws007]

what a complete crock, if you had ever visited china, india, or mexico, you'd find we're about the cleanest place on the planet

[separatingwheatfromchaff]

They're only counting members of the G-8,which leaves out China,India and Mexico.What they're trying to say is we suck and we're in last place amongst the G-8 nations.Not surprising, is it?

[NTO08]

Wrong, a thousand times wrong.

[kellygrrrl]

W = Worst Ever Everything