Bill Clinton, Tony Blair & global mayors form alliance on climate change

[dajoki]

AP
http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap08-01-190950.asp?t=apnew&vts=8120062058

Bill Clinton, global mayors form alliance on climate change

ASSOCIATED PRESS


LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1 — Former President Clinton and mayors of some of the world's largest cities announced an initiative Tuesday to combat climate change and increase energy efficiency in everything from street lights to building materials.

The partnership joins Clinton and the resources of his presidential foundation with the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group — an alliance of Rome, London, Mexico City, Los Angeles and other cities that have pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The aim is to pool technology and resources to slash the pollutants that contribute to global warming while promoting clean-burning fuels and energy conservation.

''This is a very, very serious problem, but also a phenomenal opportunity,'' Clinton said at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he signed the pact in the company of the mayors of Los Angeles, San Francisco and London, as well as British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Clinton faulted the Bush White House for moving too slowly on global warming and said an era of environmental catastrophe awaits if more isn't done at home and abroad.

''The entrenched thought patterns and economic interests of yesterday are our common enemy,'' Clinton said.

In response, a spokeswoman for the White House Council on Environmental Quality said that the Bush administration supports efforts to cut emissions.

''The administration encourages all levels of government — including the states and local governments — to find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,'' Kristen Hellmer said. ''This approach reinforces the approach advanced by the president, and the administration looks forward to exploring ideas to achieve real results.''

Well, he had 5 1/2 years, he better start exploring!!

[blm]

1. Sorry, but this sounds like a huge stunt contrived by Clinton to undercut

Gore's impact. Clinton wasn't as supportive of environmental initiatives as he should have been when he was president. Now that Bush has turned the world into a focking disaster zone, Bill thinks he can make himself into a bigger hero by comparison.

[dajoki]

2. Oh, I agree...

What I think is funny is the White House's response and Blair involved.

[karynnj]

3. It may be opportunist, but if it does good, it is good.

I assume that Bill Clinton is motivated to address this because it is an important problem and because he sees a way to help. Clinton is a political animal and helping Hillary is likely a major goal he has, but he still deserves credit when he does good. (This said by a non- Clinton fan.)

I agree that Clinton wasted the years he was President in terms of really dealing with global warming. Likely because the sacrifices it would entail at a point where people did not see the danger meant the amount of political capital needed was greater than he was willing (or maybe able) to accept.

Still, if this is real and it helps the problem it is great - whether it helps Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton or even Bush. We need every bit of help available.

[Control-Z]

4. How does this undercut Gore's impact?

Seems to show just how big an impact Gore's book and movie have had on people.

I don't care if Clinton looks like a hero on this and I doubt Gore cares either as long as our kids have some cool clean air to breath in 50 years. I say more power to him and I hope he does it in a hurry because we're running out of time.

[blm]

5. I hope it does have real results - but if Clinton was sincere, he would

have had Gore make his powerpoint presentation to the American people when they were in office.

I was completely surprised to know that Gore had been making these presentations throughout the 90s. I was a Cspan junkie who stayed on top of every issue that was bubbling, and even knew about Bin Laden and the Taliban movement by 1996.

I had no idea that Gore was making these powerpoint presentations to private individuals throughout the whole time period - why Clinton chose to keep them from the collective citizenry is the question.