This pungent article from yesterday's "NY Times," At Climate Meeting, Bush Does Not Specify Goals, has some quotes too good to miss. (It also has an insightful "Back Story" from the reporter, John Broder. It's a great four-minute interview. Plus, there's a link at the article to excellent coverage on the presidential candidates' views on climate change.)
The quotes, though: A senior Brazilian official, Everton Vargas said "The whole agenda was set by the American government. The American government didn't bring any new ideas, any new proposals in terms of the American position."
Or this from John Ashton, a special adviser on climate change to the British foreign secretary: "We could have another 20 years of talking about talking. We need to start deciding about doing." Ouch.
And from the very highly respected and influential Fred Krupp, the president of Environmental Defense: "It was a lost opportunity. America needs to lead, and we can lead, but now the spotlight shifts to the Congress because the president has refused to accept the only path that's ever solved an air pollution problem ‚ and that's mandatory legal limits."
Pithy, useful insight.