The statement released by presidential hopeful Barack Obama yesterday looks worryingly like a defence of the untenable and destructive Bush Administration position on global warming.

It looks like spin.

Obama says this:

“The post-Kyoto climate negotiations that have kicked off in Bali offer an important opportunity for America to re-engage with the rest of the world in taking on one of the greatest challenges of this generation. But we must start by showing the world that we are serious about tackling the climate crisis here at home, which is why I’ve put forth a bold energy plan that would reduce our carbon emissions 80% by 2050. As President, I will also personally reach out to the leaders of the biggest carbon emitting nations and ask them to join America in creating a new Global Energy Forum that can continue the work begun in Bali and lay the foundation for the next generation of climate protocols.”

Well, an energy plan that offers no fixed target sooner than 2050 is hardly “bold.” And the U.S. is already pursuing a strategy to sideline the Kyoto protocol by “creating a new Global Energy Forum” including the “biggest carbon emitting nations.”

Weren’t we hoping for something better?