Posted on 02/17/2007 8:25:15 AM PST by calcowgirl
A leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination declared the debate on global warming "over" yesterday and said that the US would act to save the environment.
Senator John McCain's speech at a summit on green policies indicated a crucial change in US political opinion towards climate change.
"I am convinced that we have reached the tipping point and that the Congress of the United States will act with the agreement of the administration," said Mr McCain, who is a favoured candidate in next year's presidential primaries.
"The debate is over, my friends. Now the question is: what do we do? Do we act, do we care enough about the young people of the next generation to act seriously and meaningfully, or are we going to just continue this debate and this discussion?"
Mr McCain, a long-term critic of US climate policy, was speaking after a two-day summit in Washington of envoys from the G8 group of countries, as well as representatives of developing nations including China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico.
All leading presidential candidates have emphasised the dangers of global warming or the need for energy independence. Diplomats, who dismiss the Bush administration's efforts as too little are confident that whoever is elected in 2008 will take significant steps on global warming.
Individual states have begun to act. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California joined forces with Tony Blair last year to launch plans for a new transatlantic carbon trading market.
The Global Legislators' Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) called for a new worldwide agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol on global warming, which expires in 2012. Among the panel's recommendations is a new global market to limit and trade carbon emissions.
GLOBE believes that developing countries should set targets to reduce their own emissions. The Kyoto Treaty on climate change was never ratified by the US Senate, largely because it did not require countries like China and India to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
"In our view, the evidence that man is changing the climate is now beyond doubt. But we must be clear that climate change is a global issue and there is an obligation on us all to take action, in line with our capabilities and historic responsibilities," the group said in a statement.
Although GLOBE has no legal power, its recommendations reinforce a new consensus on Capitol Hill: global warming is a genuine and man-made phenomenon and the US must do more.
Mr McCain said voluntary agreements to reduce emissions from power plants and vehicles were not enough to "change the status quo".
Senator Joe Lieberman, who ran for vice-president on the Democrat ticket in 2004, co-chaired the conference with Mr McCain. He said the new Democratic-controlled Congress would pass tighter energy restrictions by 2009.
Anybody know who is behind GLOBE?
Loon
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Anything to simply "BE" president.
Keep it going, Mac.
No it isn't.
Looks like McCain is more than a little tipsy.
..just like all these other spineless politico's in this country...as more and more pressure mounts from the socialistic agenda driven warming alarmist...these a$$holes cave. They crumble. Don't look at both sides, and the inevitable cost and what it would do to the US economy to weasel under.....FIGHT YOU NUTLESS WONDERS!
Says who?...
I detect a recurring theme with McCain: "Shut down free speech and discussion." That was certainly the intent of McCain-Feingold.
We should march in the streets and sign petitions asking The Sun to cut back just a tad on its output, so that we have perfect equilibrium.
*FLUSH*
There goes most of the little support he had among the conservatives...
That's the argument of someone who is afraid of debate; who knows his arguments will not stand up to scrutiny.
But but but....
He''ll fight the War, and he can beat Hillary.
Isn't that ALL that matters?
“The debate is over, my friends…”
Yeah, McLoony, because you say so.
What a miserable, self-absorbed, ego, nut case…not only is he a mental wacko, he’s also physically ill.
Oh, and I'm not your friend.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I have to conclude that John McCain isn't very bright. Conservatives take a longer, more common sensical view of the global warming hysteria of the left, so John McCain thinks he's going to appeal to conservatives by doing what? Unless John McCain is trying to position himself up for some kind of independent run if he doesn't get the Republican nomination. But if that's the case, he might as well go back to bashing the Christian Right.
Another possibility is that it's McCain, not the planet, which is at a tipping point...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.