From Wikipedia:
"Russia:
Prior to the meeting, Russia pledged to reduce emissions between 20% to 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 if a global agreement is reached committing other countries to comparable emission reductions.[37] This target had not been announced to the UNFCCC Secretariat before the COP 15 meeting. In the COP 15 negotiations, Russia only pledged to make a 10% to 15% reduction below 1990 levels by 2020 as part of a commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, but said that it would reduce emissions by 20% to 25% as part of an agreement on long-term cooperative action. "
I have a question about Russia's role in the whole global warming drama. Specifically, why is it playing along at all !?! Not only does the country rely on oil exports to keep its economy going, but it is the one big and powerful country (well, OK, Canada is another, but it's too liberal to go against this sort of thing) that actually stands to GAIN from global warming. Huge chunks of Russian perma-frosted land could become accessible. Furthermore, Russia could actually start selling fresh water to other countries that suffer from water shortages as a result of global warming.
So, why is it going along with something that doesn't seem to be in its interests !?! Because it is. In fact, it's committing to reduction levels that are comparable to developed country levels - despite the fact that it is not a developed country. What gives !?!
"Russia:
Prior to the meeting, Russia pledged to reduce emissions between 20% to 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 if a global agreement is reached committing other countries to comparable emission reductions.[37] This target had not been announced to the UNFCCC Secretariat before the COP 15 meeting. In the COP 15 negotiations, Russia only pledged to make a 10% to 15% reduction below 1990 levels by 2020 as part of a commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, but said that it would reduce emissions by 20% to 25% as part of an agreement on long-term cooperative action. "
I have a question about Russia's role in the whole global warming drama. Specifically, why is it playing along at all !?! Not only does the country rely on oil exports to keep its economy going, but it is the one big and powerful country (well, OK, Canada is another, but it's too liberal to go against this sort of thing) that actually stands to GAIN from global warming. Huge chunks of Russian perma-frosted land could become accessible. Furthermore, Russia could actually start selling fresh water to other countries that suffer from water shortages as a result of global warming.
So, why is it going along with something that doesn't seem to be in its interests !?! Because it is. In fact, it's committing to reduction levels that are comparable to developed country levels - despite the fact that it is not a developed country. What gives !?!
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