China and Post-Kyoto Talks

I was greeted with potentially good news by the front page of the Yomiuri Shimbun this morning: China to share burden of CO2 emission cuts/ Beijing to join post-Kyoto emission talks. [archive]

China will express its determination to participate proactively in talks on an international framework to fight global warming from 2013 in a Japan-China joint statement to be issued during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit Tokyo next week, it was learned Friday.

Considering every developed nation in the world’s horrible past when it comes to the environment and industrialization, it was always difficult for any western nation to criticize China’s record with the environment even though the nation is the second largest produce of of green-house gases (after the US of course).  But I always took the approach that “we’re not telling you you can’t instorialize, but just that you should learn from our mistakes, not repeat them” and that “we have developed the techniques and technology to continue being industrial without causing as much damage as we once used to in the process, and would like to share them with you.”  However that never seems to be the message that the environmentalists send (usually their message is something along the lines of “you’re evil, all humans must die!” and they try and burn down your buildings or kill your seamen.)

I’m glad to see China being the bigger man that the ultra-left environmentalists who vow to kill humans to save animals.  However keep in mind that his announcement was not official, and all that has been learned is that China plans to join in on the talks, and has not made any kind of commitment yet.  And really, even if a commitment is made, nothing is certain.  Japan, who is home to the Kyoto Treaty is having all kinds of troubles keeping up with the strict cuts it demands.  And even though the light is red, many people still run through into the intersection every day.