Global warming protests held in 32 countries, Bush vilified

Global warming protests held in 32 countries, Bush vilified
MONTREAL, Canada - About 7,000 activists marched down Montreal's streets demanding greater commitment towards combating global warming even as the 10-day United Nations Summit on climate change got underway here. The meeting is being held to review and update the Kyoto Protocol.

Several environmentalist groups demanded that the US take greater responsibility in doing something about global warming. The United States has refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and has coined an entirely different treaty along with Australia and South Korea.

The Bush Administration has opposed caps on emissions and this was a particular grouse of many people who staged the protest in Montreal. Canadian Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Environment Minister Stephane Dion also marched with the protestors in a show of solidarity.

President Bush was the target of many of the protestors' ire as was evidenced from the banners that read, "George, you're not alone on this planet!" and "Time is running out." and "Wanted - for crimes against the planet."

Bush had pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, saying that the proposed 5.2 percent cap on greenhouse gas emission would hurt economic growth in the country. The caps target excludes poor nations and Bush was reportedly not happy with this provision as well. Washington has categorically stated that it is not interested in talking about the pact beyond 2012, but officials are hopeful that the US would return to the talks table.

Organizers of the protest march said that similar protests were held in 32 countries all over the world. In London, British Prime Minister Tony Blair's promise to do something about the climate change, which had been his muse prior to the G-8 summit in Gleneagles in Scotland, evoked strong protests.

Activists said that Blair had forgotten his promise and was blindly following the US line.

Protestor also passed the US Embassy in London and said that unless Bush returned to Kyoto Treaty many Hurricanes like Katrina are on their way.

Protests were also held in Germany, Japan, Bangladesh and South Africa.