SelectPlusG8 Leaders Dig Into Environmental IssuesG8 Leaders Dig Into Environmental IssuesThe Associated PressPresident Bush and other world leaders made gradual progress Tuesday on climate change, but finalizing a long-term global agreement on what to do about the fevered planet remains elusive. (July 8)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] ((tree fotoop, first ladies and fuel-efficient cars))It had all the trappings of a "green" summit -- from a tree-planting ceremony on a Japanese mountainside, to demonstrations of energy-saving cars.((enviro protests, then leaders gather in meeting room))But to environmentalists demanding urgent action on global warming, the final G-8 meeting of the Bush presidency is another bust.((file footage pollution))True, it voiced support for halving heat-trapping pollution by mid-century.((Fukuda reading declaration -- super quoted words in graphic))But the declaration that Japan's prime minister read pledges ONLY to "seek to ... consider and adopt" that as a goal ...((Chinese, Indian leaders at summit))... and only IF rapidly growing countries like China and India go along.((Any shot of European leaders, then Bush at summit))That's far short of the binding commitment OTHER G8 leaders wanted, and effectively accepts President Bush's more cautious approach.BUSH SOT: (FONT: Sunday) "I've always advocated that there needs to be a common understanding, and that starts with a goal. And I also am realistic enough to tell you that if China and India don't share that same aspiration, that we're not going to solve the problem."((More enviro protesters))Environmental groups call that an excuse for inaction -- and say the summit's a wasted opportunity.((Back to G8 leaders))But the White House points to continuing talks with the Chinese and Indians -- and says what's important now are the specific steps individual countries take to curb the gases blamed for rising temperatures.MS, AP, G-8 SUMMIT, TOYAKO, Japan
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