Canada confirm they're to pull out of Kyoto agreement

[Sync]

BBC News - Canada to withdraw from Kyoto Protocol

Peter Kent said the protocol "does not represent a way forward for Canada" and would have forced it to take "radical and irresponsible choices".

The move, which is legal and was expected, makes it the first nation to pull out of the global treaty.

He said the cost of meeting Canada's obligations under Kyoto would cost $13.6bn (10.3bn euros; £8.7bn): "That's $1,600 from every Canadian family - that's the Kyoto cost to Canadians, that was the legacy of an incompetent liberal government".

Those figures if true are pretty steep, and it's difficult to sell that to voters in these austere times. Could we see more countries follow suit?

[TommyO'Brien]

I don't expect anything less from that idiot of a prime minister in Canada.

[wombat]

I don't expect anything less from that idiot of a prime minister in Canada.

He's prime minister of a major fossil fuel producer and user - if the Greenies have their way, the Irish cattle business will go too, who'll be the idiot then?

[firefly123]

Baby seal fur coats and tar sand oil for all!

[Cassandra Syndrome]

Excellent

[wombat]

Baby seal fur coats and tar sand oil for all!

Don't knock them, I got years of work out of the Tar Sands, when the alternative was Dole in Ireland

[yellowfish]

He's prime minister of a major fossil fuel producer and user - if the Greenies have their way, the Irish cattle business will go too, who'll be the idiot then?

Greenies? I want global warming taken seriously and if that has a cost we need to pay it, i try and do my bit for the environment because i like the environment it makes the place look nice and i tend to live within it as well. I also like cows, to look at and eat, i am willing to change my ways if that is what is needed. Greenies makes me sound like a nut, i dont think there is anything nutty about not wanting to leave a place worse off than when i found it.
Canada should at least present some sort of alternative to meet its part of tackling what is a crisis, if they don't then they are simply opting out of their responsibilities which is not leadership in any fashion.

[CanRonPaulSavetheUS]

I hope the Paddies never wise up to this scam. I need them to save the planet.

I filled up my tank today, 3.15 dollars a gallon, a bit expensive but what the hell.

Is it gone to a euro a litre there yet. Ouch Mammy my Ass is on fire

[Ribeye]

Good work Canada, squash those watermelons!

[zavi13]

Harper is the beneficiary of the dirtiest fossil fuel (oil from the tar sands) in Canada's wild west of Alberta. Short term greed always trumps principles with politicians of his ilk.

Canada may reap some benefits from global warming in the short-term (NW sea passage open, higher wheat yields) but will eventually be a loser too as global warming accelerates (severe summer droughts etc) as the century progresses.

The problem with having politicians make these decisions is that they don't look beyond the next electoral cycle, what does Harper care about what happens in 2050, he'll probably be dead by then!