Former Vice President Al Gore is taking Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government government to task for suggesting he endorsed its performance on climate change.
The environmentalist, filmmaker and one-time presidential candidate issued a statement from his Tennessee office Monday distancing himself from statements made by John Baird, Canada's minister of the environment.
"The comments I made were designed to encourage the Harper government not to abandon Canada's tradition of fighting above its weight class on the world stage as part of the Kyoto process," Gore said. "It is my experience that other nations do look to Canada for moral leadership. ... I urge the Harper government to do the right thing."
Against Gore's urging, Harper's government has abandoned Canada's greenhouse-gas reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, rejecting its targets as unattainable.
The government has instead called for a series of other programs to fight global warming.
In the House of Commons, Baird has habitually responded to opposition questions by reading aloud statements ridiculing the Liberals' record on climate change.
Last week, he read a purported endorsement from Gore.
"Canada (is) once again providing leadership in the world, fighting above its weight class and showing moral authority to the rest of the world. That's what Canada's known for," Baird read. "Do we know who said that yesterday? Al Gore."
Gore said his statement was taken out of context and was made last summer. But the government circulated a transcript from a Global TV interview that aired last week in which Gore made similar remarks.
Under the Kyoto accord, Canada pledged to cut its emissions by 6 percent from 1990 levels by 2012. But the country's emissions are now more than 30 percent above 1990 levels.
posted on February 13, 2007 11:54:13 AM new
The level of emissions in the US has also gone up since 1990. It is no wonder why Bush did not want to be part of the Koyoto Treaty to begin with.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on February 13, 2007 12:29:57 PM new
You're correct, logansdad.
It does prove that our President understood MORE of how those goals were unreachable....and how much damage it would do to our economy....AND how, since ALL Nations weren't being held to the SAME accountability...it would never work.
posted on February 13, 2007 01:38:17 PM new
And just to enlighten those who think because the US has NOT signed on to the Kyoto agreement...that it isn't doing anything to clear up our environment....because that just WOULDN'T be true.
======
taken from wikipedia....
Comparing total greenhouse gas emissions in 2004 to 1990 levels, the US emissions were up by 16%,[69] with irregular fluctuations from one year to another but a general trend to increase.[70]
At the same time, the EU group of 23 (EU-23) Nations had reduced their emissions by 5%.[71] In addition, the EU-15 group of nations (a large subset of EU-23) reduced their emissions by 0.8% between 1990 and 2004, while emission rose 2.5% from 1999 to 2004. Part of the increases for some of the European Union countries are still inline with the treaty, being part of the cluster of countries implementation (see objectives in the list above).
Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate
See also: Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate
The Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate is an agreement between six Asia-Pacific nations: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
The partnership had its official launch in January of 2006 at a ceremony in Sydney, Australia. Within the past year, the six nations have initiated nearly 100 projects aimed at clean energy capacity building and market formation.
Building on these activities, long-term projects are schedule to deploy clean energy and environment technologies and services.
The pact allows those countries to set their goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions individually, but with no enforcement mechanism.
Supporters of the pact see it as complementing the Kyoto Protocol whilst being more flexible while critics have said the pact will be ineffective without any enforcement measures and ultimately aims to void the negotiations leading to the Protocol called to replace the current Kyoto Protocol (negotiations started in Montreal in December 2005).
posted on February 13, 2007 07:35:41 PM newIt does prove that our President understood MORE of how those goals were unreachable....and how much damage it would do to our economy
It does not prove that at all Linda. All it says is Bush knew the US could not/would not be able to cut green house gases so he did not even try to be part of the agreement to begin with.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on February 13, 2007 09:13:40 PM new
Sure he was INTELLIGENT to already KNOW those things.....unlike canada...who obviously HAD to learn the hard way. LOL
But I notice that canada's huge RISE in emissions doesn't concern you. lol Guess that's because you can't blame what they do on this President. Such a shame for a Bush basher, I'm sure.
============
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on February 14, 2007 12:19:17 PM newBut I notice that canada's huge RISE in emissions doesn't concern you.
It does, but what is more surprising is that there are many European nations that have actually reduced their greenhouse gas emissions so it can be done. Why can these nations do it, but the United States does not want or chose not to care about it. We only have to look to the one that has been in charge during the past six years. Especially since he originally campaigned for being part of the Kyoto Treaty.
But yet you keep wanting to believe global warming does not exist and cutting greenhouse gases does not matter. You rather worry about what every other nation does except the one you live in.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on February 14, 2007 01:48:08 PM new
Linda, did you know that if the US stopped ALL air flights, your emissions would still be 1000 times greater than what Canada produces?
posted on February 14, 2007 01:53:38 PM new
Do WHAT KD? Are you joking?
Certainly you don't EVER expect to see the US doing such a crazy thing, do you?
I'm beginning to wonder about the sanity of ALL liberals at his point. It's like you've all lost your minds. And when you come up with 'ideas' like this...it only supports my theory.
Try and remember our population differences when you're making those comparisons
Try to accept that your Nation couldn't even reach it's set goal. The US IS NOT responsibile for THAT.
AND the european countries that have done better...take a quick look at how their economies are doing. I point out NOT WELL....and certainly not as good as our are. Look to their UNEMPLOYEMENT rates....pretty high...almost DOUBLE ours.
posted on February 14, 2007 02:16:09 PM new
What would you attribute your huge increase in emissions to, KD?
All that oil you've been pulling out of your land??? Or what?
edited to add the answer....from canada's own reporting site.
----
Greenhouse gas emissions:
The greenhouse gas emissions indicator focuses on total national emissions of greenhouse gases.
Emissions rose 27% from 1990 to 2004.
In 2004, emissions were 35% above the target to which Canada committed in December 2002 when it ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - 6% below the 1990 baseline by the period 2008 to 2012.
Thermal-electric power generation, road vehicle use and oil and gas production were the principal sources of the increase in emissions. While total emissions rose, emissions per unit of Gross Domestic Product fell 14% from 1990 to 2004. The expansion of the Canadian economy, however, more than offset gains in fuel and emissions efficiency, resulting in a net increase in total emissions.
Over the same period, greenhouse gas emissions also grew faster than the Canadian population, resulting in a 10% rise in emissions per person.
posted on February 14, 2007 06:01:08 PM new
I see Linda has gone back to bashing Canada over their greenhouse emissions. She rather do that than face the fact there are other countries that are ACTUALLY REDUCING THEIR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
What is Bush so afraid of? Why did he back out of his campaign promise? Where are all these other alternatives that he promised to find instead of signing the Kyoto Treaty?
It would appear that Bush does not care about the environment.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on February 15, 2007 12:30:54 AM new
Linda, you're so funny tonight!! Do you realize what you're saying? First, you're talking about the credibility of Al Gore, which is a hoot coming from you. Next you're talking about per-capita, as if we're all stupid... all the while pretending you don't realize Harper is a CONSERVATIVE and good buddies with Bush. What did you expect?
All the oil we're pulling from our land??? Who's supplying the US with oil lost from Iraq? Which country lost some major refineries in Katrina? Harper drives a Honda. Bush a Hummer. And the beat goes on...
posted on February 15, 2007 09:04:41 AM new
The intent of my OP KD was to show that our President was correct in NOT signing on to the Kyoto agreement.
al gore? He's been laughed at by many scientists and his movie 'findings' proven FALSE. He has NO credibility ....but the hollywood crowd love him.
And I believe that the stats I've provided showing canada hasn't been able to come ANYWHERE NEAR meeting it's kyoto goals..but rather has INCREASED their emissions....in order to keep their economy going shows the 'goals' were unreasonable/unobtainable from the start.
Oh and KD, 2:16 PM is normally NOT considered to be 'night' time.
edite to add an update on the story...liberal canadians vs more reasonable conservative canadians.
posted on February 15, 2007 09:52:55 AM newAnd I believe that the stats I've provided showing Canada hasn't been able to come ANYWHERE NEAR meeting it's Kyoto goals..but rather has INCREASED their emissions....in order to keep their economy going shows the 'goals' were unreasonable/unobtainable from the start.
The conservative party was in charge the last year in Canada. It was their party platform to find other ways to reduce emissions.
Does this sound familiar Linda. It kinda reminds me of Bush and the Republican party here. Perhaps it is because conservatives in general do not give a damn about the environment.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on February 15, 2007 10:23:55 AM newal gore? He's been laughed at by many scientists and his movie 'findings' proven FALSE. He has NO credibility ....but the hollywood crowd love him.
More LIES presented by Linda.
Gore's 'Truth' restricted at schools
The Associated Press
FEDERAL WAY - The school board in this suburb south of Seattle has restricted showings of Al Gore's movie on global warming, including requiring that it be balanced with an adequate opposing viewpoint.
The board also required Superintendent Tom Murphy to approve when the former vice president's film, "An Inconvenient Truth," can be presented.
The decision was sparked by complaints from parents who said their child was taking the film as fact after viewing it at school.
"Condoms don't belong in school, and neither does Al Gore. He's not a schoolteacher," said Frosty Hardison, a parent of seven who doesn't want the film shown at all.
"The information that's being presented is a very cockeyed view of what the truth is," Hardison told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "The Bible says that in the end times everything will burn up, but that perspective isn't in the DVD."
Board President Ed Barney told The News Tribune of Tacoma on Wednesday that he'd received about a half-dozen complaints from parents.
"We have to ensure that our schools are not being used to politically indoctrinate anyone," said board member Dave Larson, who with Barney and board member Charlie Hoff voted Tuesday for the requirements.
None has seen the movie. District policy, however, requires that an opposing view be aired whenever a controversial issue is examined in school.
"I am shocked that a school district would come to this decision," the movie's co-producer, Laurie David, said in a prepared statement. "There is no opposing view to science, which is fact, and the facts are clear that global warming is here, now."
Gore's documentary has received approval from some of the nation's top climate scientists for its accuracy.
In it, he presents scientists' findings on the catastrophic dangers of climate change.
Federal researchers with the National Academy of Sciences have said the planet's temperature has climbed to levels not seen in thousands of years, and has begun to affect plants and animals.
But Larson offered two opposing articles, including one by author John Stossel that said many scientists discredit global warming predictions. He also cited NASA and NOAA Web sites referring to debate and disagreement over climate change.
The film also has been denied a showing at Tacoma's Remann Hall, a high school for juvenile offenders, where Principal Rue Palmer denied a teacher's request.
The film hasn't been approved by the Tacoma district's curriculum committee. The school also focuses on core subjects and doesn't generally show films, explained Patti Holmgren, Tacoma School District spokeswoman.
The National Science Teachers Association turned down an offer from the film's producers for 50,000 free DVDs for classroom use. The association said it didn't want to be seen as politically endorsing the film or open itself to requests from other special interests.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on February 15, 2007 10:51:01 AM new
That's because conservatives THINK AHEAD....they don't rush into some 'treaty' that they KNOW isn't obtainable and that will do GREAT harm to our economy. They actually THINK before acting.
While the liberals tend to be one item focused...unable to see the consequences of doing one thing WILL change another.
They try and reach a 'happy medium'.....not go off with the wacko environmentalists who would take us back 400 years to save the environment. LOL
============
So...some school wouldn't allow gore's phoney garbage science to be indoctrinated into our youth. Just like some are fighting now with that liberal garbage that the wacko liberals in SF are trying to force upon our children to teach them to be AGAINST OUR MILITARY.
Public/gov schools are becoming nothing more than a place to teach them to be against everything America once stood for. So I'm glad to see some level-headed people are still fighting them.
edited to change SJ to SF
[ edited by Linda_K on Feb 15, 2007 10:58 AM ]
posted on February 15, 2007 11:29:26 AM new
"""That's because conservatives THINK AHEAD....they don't rush into some 'treaty' that they KNOW isn't obtainable and that will do GREAT harm to our economy. They actually THINK before acting."""
posted on February 15, 2007 03:43:48 PM new
From Bush's buddy Harper not caring about emissions, to us being Saddam supporters...
Whether emission goals have been met or not, I think the circumstances for both countries is a bit different because of the wars, don't you think? Because I feel the Bush admin. is corrupt, any numbers supplied by them will be just as corrupt. In fact, I think Canada's numbers are probably tainted too. Sad for both countries.
posted on February 16, 2007 07:50:07 AM newunable to see the consequences of doing one thing WILL change another.
Let's see Bush was unable to listen to the advice of his father about rushing into Iraq and trying to take out Saddam. The consequences of not properly properly planning for this war that was originally supposed to take weeks and months ----- over three years of fighting with no end in sight.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on February 16, 2007 08:41:23 AM new
More drool:
""But of course, sybil and kaira would NEVER admit that saddam could have prevented our invasion""
I don't know about Kiara, I can't read her mind like you can Oh Seerlinduh, but I would never admit that saddam could have prevented our invasion because he couldn't...
NO ONE COULD...
it was planned long, long ago and the money, power, and evilness behind the plan could not be stopped.....
posted on February 16, 2007 12:24:58 PM new
So while sybil continues to support saddam's side....tsk tsk tsk....
...we KNOW that during the clinton administration HE signed 'The Liberation of Iraq' bill that spoke about what a great threat saddam was to our interests and those countries around him and made removing him from power, our NATIONAL POLICY.
Then there's also the other FACTS that the Bush bashers LOVE to IGNORE.....that when clinton BOMBED Iraq in 1998.....clinton said it was to destroy saddam's nuclear weapon program.
But, it's only this President who saw the threat that saddam continued to pose to the world- according to those who choose not to admit/see the TRUTH.
How sad....and how BLIND they choose to be.
But thank God...we have a President who doesn't LIVE in DENIAL and has taken action...and says he will continue to do so.
====================
And then as we once again see....the two canadian posters here and their 'cohorts' in denial....don't want to discuss WHY canada has not only NOT met their treaty agreement....but has gone so far the other way in producing MORE emissions....while the US who didn't agree to sign Kyoto....has HALF the emissions that they do.
Nope....as usual, their MO is to change the subject/topic and BASH Bush.
Again, I point out to all....it's because they HAVE no answers - they have NOTHING to say about the topic so they AGAIN change the subject. So typical. tsk tsk tsk
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on February 16, 2007 01:08:27 PM new
Two posters who usual don't have a CLUE as to what they're talking about.....used by another one who can NEVER support what SHE says either.
It's obvious WHEN canada signed the kyoto agreement kiara....but you think the fact that two politicians/leaders agree on SOME positions is the cause of your Nation's inability to go so far the other way....producing MORE emissions is their fault huh?
posted on February 16, 2007 01:45:59 PM new
Bush and Harper are both Conservatives.
Lindak, right out the gate you accuse others of being clueless and you've already made up your mind as to how others think, so since you are all-knowing about them and every topic in the universe there is no reason for further discussion. Next.
posted on February 16, 2007 01:46:40 PM new
Linda, if Canada and South America are sending more oil to the US to make up for their loss in Iraq and other countries, how can Canada LOWER their emissions? Can you tell me?
As for Kiara, I find her to be on top of what's happening here. She's shown me many things I'm ignorant about and I appreciate her knowledge. If you listened to her once in awhile Linda, you might realize what a smart cookie she is.
