kyoto protocol

[IHP]

theres been a fair bit of controversy surrounding australia and the US not sign the KP. could someone explain why the hell not.

I believe that Australia isn't signing because of the huge amonts of energy exported to Europe and the new 25 billion dollar gas deal with China.

Am i way off, or are these countries not signing because of their economies, not for the betterment of our planet?

thanx for any help you can give,
IHP

[MJM]

You rate australian democracy that highly do you?
(don't get upset I have no faith our "democracy" the world over, but thats a whole other issue)

Australia isn't signing because bush and big business asked them not to. Bushs election campaign was funded by the likes of Mobil so he does what they ask.

Check out greenpeace australia for more info.

http://www.greenpeace.org.au

[IHP]

dont worry mate, i dont rate the democracy much either. i figured as much. its all corporate skullduggery, and economic gain. howard loves bush a little too much for my liking, this is just another example of the little guy trying to impress the school bully.

[Nickademus]

i don't know about australia and the US but Canada also isn't signing and its largely because of a breakdown in our political structure. mostly the prarie provinces are worried about their money and economy which largely comes from oil.

[Pinko]

Here is the low-down, it is fairly simple when you think about it.

Signing the Kyoto protocol will be bad for the economy by the simple fact that big business may leave the signatory country because of new restrictions it will impose upon them, they will head for greener (or otherwise as the case may be) pastures in order to avoid these restrictions.
This arguement will fall apart if every country in the world signs, as there will be nowhere for polluting industry to turn.
This is where the USA's eyes light up in dollar signs. If they are the only (or one of the few) countries not to sign, all the business looking for somewhere less restrictive to flee to, will look to the US. By not signing, the US stands to gain more corporate investment in its economy and help secure its financial domination over lesser financial powers.

See? simple.

[IHP]

i thought that it would be something totally economy based. so canada isn't signing as well!
that means that aus and canada are just gonna flock to this US banner once more, these countries have no balls, initiative or direction.

[Pinko]

Canada's biggest export is timber, the asbestos trade used to be big in Canada (I don't know if it still is). Neither of which are going to be particularly welcome under the Kyoto Protocols.