Bush orders action on global warming! Not really

From the International Herald Tribune:
Thursday, Bush stepped before the microphones in Washington to announce that he would help convene a series of meetings beginning this fall of the worlds' 15 biggest emitters of greenhouse gases (the United States is No. 1) to develop a long-term "global strategy" for dealing with climate change. He offered no details beyond the general hope that the nations involved would voluntarily establish "midterm national targets" and would increase their investments in new and cleaner technologies.
Given Bush's history of denial and obstructionism when it comes to climate change, there are good reasons to be cynical about this sudden enthusiasm, coming as it does on the eve of the meeting of the Group of 8 industrialized nations.
Most of these nations - and in particular the meeting's host, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany - were deeply offended by the administration's rude rejection of Merkel's proposal for deep, mandatory cuts in emissions by mid-century. Cuts of up to 80 percent by 2050 have been recommended by many of the world's top scientists as necessary to avert the worst consequences of climate change.

And announced Friday from NBC networks:
Three-hour NBC Primetime Special Hosted by Ann Curry with Carson Daly
Bravo to Present 18-hours of Live Concert Coverage and "Best Of" Moments
Sundance Channel and Universal HD to Air Concerts Live All Day
Telemundo and Mun2 to Broadcast Specials Featuring the Hottest Latin Performers
CNBC to Broadcast Seven-hours in Primetime
MSNBC to Broadcast Exclusive Coverage Throughout the Day
Scheduled Performances Include Madonna, The Police, Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, Melissa Etheridge, Faith Hill, Fall Out Boy, Shakira, Kanye West, Enrique Iglesias and The Red Hot Chili Peppers Among Many Others
BURBANK - May 31, 2007 - The networks of NBC Universal will come together to air "Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis" an unprecedented global event on July 7. From the producers of "Live 8," this monumental music event will bring together more than 100 of today's hottest artists and two billion people to focus the world's attention on the global climate crisis and what can be done to reduce global warming. The networks of NBC Universal will broadcast nine legendary concerts from the seven continents, all raising awareness of the solutions to the global climate crisis.