[CedarDave]

Aside from the amount of global warming from anthropogenic sources, which is debatable in itself and becoming more so as more skeptical scientists speak out, I believe I heard an Al Gore quote that the developing nations that spew CO2 into the atmosphere should be given a pass on carbon controls until they catch up economically with the west, especially the US. Does anyone have a reference that can source that statement?

It's pretty obvious that an opinion like that translates to a stone around our economic neck while the other nations, which are already causing a negative trade balance, get a free pass. Comments anyone?

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

"...developing nations that spew CO2 into the atmosphere should be given a pass on carbon controls until they catch up economically with the west, ...."

I don't know about the Gore quote -- but, you've just described the essence of the Kyoto agreement. Only it's worse than a "free pass" -- it's a matter of being paid to ride.

Under the emissions trading scheme, countries like China and Russia stand to be paid billions -- simply for updating power plants, etc. to the levels that they already are at in the west. Meanwhile, China can add as many new coal-fired power plants as it wants -- and it wants a lot of them.

[TChad]

It's pretty obvious that an opinion like that translates to a stone around our economic neck while the other nations, which are already causing a negative trade balance, get a free pass.

To support the Kyoto Protocol is to support a free ride for China and India.