Hope for the climate change debate...

Mr Blair called for a full discussion of the climate change issue at the upcoming G8 summit. He hoped that all of the main players, including the 'big three' polluting nations - China, the USA and India - would get round the table and have a reasonable discussion about a solution. Obviously the United States' refusal to ratify the Kyoto Protocol was a big backwards step for Green campaigners around the world, but the USA has recently stated that it will be willing to discuss a solution once the Kyoto protocol ends. Mr Bush stated:

"The United States will work with other nations to establish a new framework on greenhouse gas emissions for when the Kyoto protocol expires."


Mr Blair has been discussing the issue with African leaders during his latest and last tour. After talks with South African leader Thabo Mbeki Mr. Blair is confident that climate change in the developing world has to be the Germany G8 summit's biggest priority. The fact that the United States will be contributing to the discussion is a big step forward, and along with rapidly growing nations such as China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa the G8 should be more free to dictate climate change policy that is meaningful. Mr Blair said:

"For the first time America is saying clearly that it wants to be part of a global deal. For the first time we have the possibility of a global deal with America in it."

It will be interesting to see exactly how conclusive the debate will turn out to be.