Environment minister criticizes Bush plan for emissions cut

Friday 18th April, 01:35 PM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

› Login to comment

7 Comments

Hughgarse at 01:58 PM JST - 18th April

the States will be the last country on earth to cut greenhouse emissions. Too addicted to petroleum for one...
pathat at 02:37 PM JST - 18th April

the States will be the last country on earth to cut greenhouse emissions. Too addicted to petroleum for one...

Maybe so, but what has Japan accomplished over the past decade since the Kyoto Protocol was put together? An overall increase in greenhouse gas emissions to the tune of some 6-7% over 1990 levels, when the country agreed to cut its emissions 6% below 1990 levels. Also, how about Japan`s environmental footprint on other Asian countries? This is a global problem, right?

Nobody should pay attention to what Bush is saying right now. He is the lamest of lame ducks and will be out of the White House in 9 months. He will not be around to make any real decisions about these issues.
westurn at 03:28 PM JST - 18th April

hughgarse...

"the States will be the last country on earth to cut greenhouse emissions."

Lets hope so ! Considering the vast majority of America's greenhouse gasses are produced in the farm belt ! The world is already panicky enough over the loss of just a few thousand acres of prime American farm land. Lets imagine what will happen if the US really does go biofuel, turns those food crops into crops for fuel and succeeds in lowering it's greenhouse gas emissions in the process. Is Europe prepared for the human disaster that awaits them as their neighbours in Africa start to slaughter each other the last few remaining food supplies ? Fact is, 40-60 percent of what American farmers grow is for export... a large volume that goes for food aid ! I'd say, be careful for what you wish for. But in the meantime some of Americas major cities are already tackiling the issue of greenhouse gasses. Many have had much more success than Japan has also !
westurn at 03:31 PM JST - 18th April

Japan should worry about it's own failings in this issue. I seem to recall that Japan gave the green light to both China and India, allowing them both to increase their greenhouse gas output by thousands of tons per year !
westurn at 03:33 PM JST - 18th April

This Japanese leader is turning the faces of the nation red with comments like these. In the international arena, no-one will take him seriously.
westurn at 03:33 PM JST - 18th April

Bush was right from day one ! The Americans have made more progress and have pushed more funding for technology and national grants than any country on the planet ! Just check out the "farm energy bill" for an example. Where's Japan's farm energy bill ? No chance, Japan is spending more time fudging its numbers, doctoring its books, and simply turning a blind eye to its own wasteful lifestyle. Just look at all the small plastic packages that Japan uses for it's consumer goods ! No concept of environmentalism whatsoever !
GrouchyGaijin at 09:49 PM JST - 18th April

A close look at the presentation at Kyoto will reveal that Japan's stated intentions for that round was to build more roads. Emissions cutting was never there! Check it out! Wily weasels!