The advance word on the G-8 meeting in Germany was that hostess Angela Merkel and poodle-in-chief Tony Blair would bring President Bush around to the advanced, sophisticated European way of thinking on climate change.
But that’s not what happened at all, according to Kimberley A. Strassel. See any mandatory targets? Any anti-growth sentiments? Let’s read her take.
Yesterday’s declaration, far from mandatory targets, instead sets a "global goal" of halving emissions by 2050. It invites the "major emerging economies" to join in this endeavor. It acknowledges that different approaches across the world can "coordinate rather than compete." It reports that "technology is a key to mastering climate change" and lauds government "incentives." It admits that "over the next 25 years, fossil fuels will remain the world’s dominant source of energy," and talks up the "peaceful use of nuclear energy." It even explains that any program "must be undertaken in a way that supports growth in developing, emerging and industrialized economies."
Democrats want to rush in and swing huge government powers around to save the planet from global warming. That’s OK. It’s what Democrats do. But when they really get a chance, in 2009, it may be that the train will already have left the station. On George W. Bush’s schedule.
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