[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Sign-in] [Mail] [Setup] [Help]
Status: Not Logged In; Sign In
|
Resistance See other Resistance Articles Title: Eight EU Countries Revolt Against Carbon Emission Limits Written by Ann Shibler The EU hits roadblocks in its mission to impose stringent carbon dioxide emission goals on its member countries. Tempers flared recently at a quarterly meeting of the European Council in Brussels over the EU's crusade to impose stringent limits on carbon emissions. Led by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, an open revolt of eight countries, enough for a voting bloc, sought to defend their national economies from the radical environmental programs backed by the EU hierarchy. Berlusconi, speaking in opposition to the EU plan that was once favored by former Green Italian environment minister Pecoraro Scanio, argued: “Our businesses are in absolutely no position at the moment to absorb the costs of the regulations that have been proposed.” Directing more anger at the Emissions Trading Scheme which is set to license via a bidding process carbon dioxide emissions in 2013, he said, “It is ridiculous that we are selling the right to pollute.” With seemingly genuine concern for their countries' industrial, business, and economic futures, Tusk joined Berlusconi offering, “We don’t say to the French that they have to close down their nuclear power industry and build windmills, and nobody can tell us the equivalent.” That statement is clearly one built on the notion of sovereignty — bravo to both Berlusconi and Tusk, though Berlusconi, as exemplified by his recent call that Russia enter the EU, is no firm opponent of the internationalist blueprint for Europe. Sarkozy seems to be intent on railroading the EU carbon proposal into permanent existence before January 1, when his EU presidency is ended and is then passed on to Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic. Klaus is noted for his clear understanding of the economics of forced climate change policies and has questioned the existence of man-made global warming. It seems likely that he will wish to scale back the environmental demands of the EU. Coming from a former communist country, he knows all too well what the imposition of heavy regulations on businesses can do to a nation's economy. The opposition roused the ire of those seeking the stringent caps favored by the current EU leadership. Their plan, strongly supported by France's Sarkozy, calls for CO2 emissions to be cut by at least 20 percent by 2020. The British, apparently hoping to inspire other nations with their plan for self-immolation on the alter of environmental policy, have unveiled a plan calling for carbon emission reductions of up to 80 percent by 2050. To those seeking to oppose such plans, a Friends of the Earth climate campaigner argued: “The EU must continue to resist shortsighted efforts to wreck its plans for tackling climate change -- urgent action is essential to safeguard our economy and our environment.” Sarkozy and Jose Manuel Barrosos, President of the European Commission, in the end had to settle for a summit conclusion that “confirms its determination to honour the ambitious commitments,” of the earlier proposal. The conclusion then proposed “appropriate responses to the challenge ... having regard to each member state’s specific situation.” Whether this rejection of strict greenhouse gas emissions is a simply a temporary outgrowth of the severity of the present global financial crisis, or a new resistance to the interference and sovereignty-sapping, revenue-grabbing fists of the EU, it’s something of a silver lining anyway.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 2.
#2. To: farmfriend, *libertarians* (#0)
ping
There are no replies to Comment # 2. End Trace Mode for Comment # 2.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest |
||
|
[Home]
[Headlines]
[Latest Articles]
[Latest Comments]
[Post]
[Sign-in]
[Mail]
[Setup]
[Help]
|
||