Russia Puts Global Climate Pact in Doubt(Kyoto Protocol is not sufficiently grounded in science )

Associated Press ^ | Tue, Sep. 30, 2003 | VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

[getget]

Russia Puts Global Climate Pact in Doubt

MOSCOW - A senior adviser to President Vladimir Putin outlined strong reservations Tuesday about ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, saying the pact to limit greenhouse gas emissions is not sufficiently grounded in science and would harm Russia's economic growth.

Although Putin's economic adviser, Andrei Illarionov, stopped short of ruling out Russia's ratification of the protocol, which is necessary for it to take effect, his strong criticism of the agreement appeared to leave little hope for approval of the document.

Illarionov, an influential adviser, spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the U.N. World Climate Change Conference. He made the remarks after Putin said Monday that his Cabinet hadn't yet made up its mind whether Russia would ratify the protocol.

To go into effect, the 1997 protocol must be ratified by no fewer than 55 countries, accounting for at least 55 percent of global emissions in 1990. After the United States rejected the treaty, the minimum can be reached only with Russia's ratification.

Illarionov said that the United States and Australia opted out of the protocol after deciding that compliance would be too expensive, and that it would be even less affordable for Russia, which has a much smaller economy.

He elaborated on Putin's statement Monday that Russia could benefit from global warming, saying that warmer temperatures would help increase harvests, cut energy consumption and open ice-encrusted seas to navigation.

"Public opinion was artificially focused on negative consequences of climate change, but there are also positive consequences for both our country and the planet as a whole," Illarionov said.

Yuri Vorobyov, Russia's deputy minister for emergency situations, challenged Illarionov's optimism, telling the conference that warmer temperatures could increase the number of catastrophic floods and damage energy pipelines and other infrastructure in the north.

Whatever the consequences, Illarionov voiced doubts about global warming being a stable trend, echoing Russian scientists who told the conference that the Kyoto protocol's advocates had failed to prove that emissions trigger global warming. They pointed at other factors, such as volcanic eruptions and the ocean's impact, saying they need to be more thoroughly analyzed.

The Kyoto Protocol calls for countries to reduce their level of greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2012. If a country exceeds the emissions level, it could be forced to cut back industrial production.

Russia's emissions have fallen by 32 percent since 1990 largely due to the post-Soviet industrial meltdown, but they have started to rise again as the economy revived.

Illarionov said that the Kyoto Protocol would hamper Putin's goal of doubling Russia's gross domestic product in 10 years and the subsequent growth by requiring Russia to launch a costly overhaul of its industries in order to cut emissions.

He said that doubling the GDP will bring Russia's emissions to 104 percent of their 1990 level, conflicting with the protocol. "But Russia isn't going to stop at this level, so the carbon dioxide level will be much higher," Illarionov said.

He said that the United States, China and many other nations staying out of the protocol account for 68 percent of global emissions, making the document largely senseless. He said that Russia currently accounts for some 6 percent of global emissions compared to U.S. share of 25 percent and China's 13 percent.

"We are facing a bizarre situation when Russia, which makes less emissions, must cut them, while nations which make much more, like the United States and China, won't curb them," Illarionov said.

"That raises the question about the document's efficiency," he added. "No matter what sacrifice Russia makes, it won't bring us closer to the goal. It would be strange to undertake such obligations if they aren't universal."

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

"That raises the question about the document's efficiency," he added. "No matter what sacrifice Russia makes, it won't bring us closer to the goal. It would be strange to undertake such obligations if they aren't universal."

Welcome to the club Russia.

[.cnI redruM]

Thank you, Vladamir. When I grew up, I never believed I'd live in a world that relied so heavily on the Russians to fend off socialist Europe.

[RightWhale]

Let's see. The two countries most known for science since WW II have expressed doubt about the scientific validity of Global Warming. But 3rd world countries with 3rd world science have endorsed Kyoto. Hmm. What to think . . .

[Steely Glint]

"Global warming" is unproven theory, and one with a lot of evidence aginst it. It is not something to base political decisions on.

[getget]

New World Order Rising? - Thoughts on the UN World Summit on Sustainable Developmenthttp://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/743512/posts?page=10

[shadowman99]

"Welcome to the club Russia."

No, it more like 'America won't sign onto this, so back to the drawing board until we can shame them into becoming a signee.'

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this.

[adam_az]

He elaborated on Putin's statement Monday that Russia could benefit from global warming, saying that warmer temperatures would help increase harvests, cut energy consumption and open ice-encrusted seas to navigation.

"Public opinion was artificially focused on negative consequences of climate change, but there are also positive consequences for both our country and the planet as a whole," Illarionov said.

Agreed - plus there are so many variables, such as variations in the earths orbit, cosmic rays from the Milky Way, fluctuating energy output from the sun, volcanic activity and outgassing, variable amounts of algae, and a host of other things that are BIG variables in any equation - we just don't know enough to establish direct cause and effect relationships. In the end, even if there is manmade global warming, it's effect might be positive for mankind, especially if it means heading off another ice age.

[getget]

Environmentalists Organizations Exposed

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b870f13654c.htm

[adam_az]

BTTT

great comment!

[Grampa Dave]

The kiss of death for "Kyoto Bad Science Anti American Tactics" was administered during Putie's and GW's meeting last week.

I just hear the socialist watermelons in old Europe and America screaming about their latest loss.

[Sacajaweau]

I just love it when Putin comes to the mike and agrees with the USA.

The days of the Church vs Galileo are gone.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks, I just bookmarked this link.

Are you new or operating under a new name?

Regardless, thank you.

[getget]

Environmentalists try to buy Russia off with the promise of lots of U.S taxs money !!

[randog]

[Illarionov] elaborated on Putin's statement Monday that Russia could benefit from global warming, saying that warmer temperatures would help increase harvests, cut energy consumption and open ice-encrusted seas to navigation.

HERETIC!! Burn him at the stake!!

(no lighter fluid, please--that wouldn't be environmentally correct)

[BOBTHENAILER]

The kiss of death for "Kyoto Bad Science Anti American Tactics" was administered during Putie's and GW's meeting last week.

AL GORE SUICIDE WATCH.

AL GORE HATES PUTIE PUT!

[getget]

"If the Kyoto agreement doesn't enter into force it will be very damaging for international environmental work," said Boerge Brende, head of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development.

[getget]

Kyoto Protocol http://unfccc.int/

[mj1234]

There are some mistakes in this article..
1. China will ratify- THEY DO NOT HAVE TO COMPLY!
(because Kyoto has a wierd way of calculating compliance-
i.e.-China has the highest population ergo can have more
pollution. by the way- China has PASSED the U.S. on
total pollutants!!
2. The european union can swap "credits with poorer countries"
i.e. Turkey is not limited so can "trade pollutant credits"
with Germany etc.

Kyoto WASN"T a enviromental treaty!!!! -it was an economic
TREATY!!!!- tHEIR PISSED AT THE U.S. NOT FALLING INTO
ANOTHER U.N. TRAP!!

GET THE U.S. OUT OF THE U.N.