President Bush has once again lived up to his hype and rejected any binding agreement for the USA to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Despite Tony Blair’s insistence that he can influence the president, he has once again failed to deliver any tangible evidence of this so-called ‘special relationship’. Maybe there is a special relationship, Bush and Blair seem to have an affinity with each other that allows a lot of give and take between them, Blair gives a lot and Bush happily takes a lot. Joking aside, where does this leave the rest of the world?
Without the USA on board, what can the rest of the world do? I think a great deal. Simply because the USA is not participating does not mean the rest of the world cannot come up with a binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I think the other countries interested in reducing CO2 emissions could set standards for CO2 emissions for every industry, every product and every service. If this could be agreed internationally, then these countries should only trade with companies meeting these standards. For example, if making a mobile phone had a set maximum carbon footprint then any manufacturer exceeding this limit would be barred from selling their phones in member countries. This will then force manufacturers from non-member countries, such as the USA to comply. It’s simple and effective.
From: BEST OF 2008: Eco-friendy and sustainable shoes