The Japanese Government announced today it will sign on to the Kyoto global warming protocol, dealing an embarrassingblow to United States. Representatives of more than 140 countries are meeting in Marakesh, Morocco to design theimplementation of the Kyoto protocol, laying out the mechanisms by which countries will work to reduce greenhouse gasemissions.

The US rejected the Kyoto protocol this spring and has refused to participate in the ongoing talks, although it islobbying behind the scenes to try and make sure that the countries that did sign the accord aren’t able to implementpolicies that affect the U.S. The US refusal to cooperate on global warming and bio weapons treaty talks stands instark contrast to its attempts to enlist support for its so-called war on terrorism.

Environmental activists are also in Morocco, pressuring participating governments to use the climate talks to linkreductions in greenhouse gases to reductions in poverty and support for sustainable development.

Guest:

• Paul Horsman, Greenpeace International climate campaigner, speaking from Marakesh, Morocco at the Kyotoimplementation talks.
• Lucy Malekei, grassroots environmental activist from Kenya in Marekesh for the Kyoto protocol talks.

Related link:

• Greenpeace