[Raptor235]

When it comes to countries who lead the pack in positive changes that could stop their negative impact on climate change? Those currently set to win are New Zealand, Costa Rica and Norway according to U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) during talks in mid December in Bali. These countries are leaders and their practices are about to be looked at more closely by those countries struggling to reduce their impact on the earth.

So when will these countries reach their climate neutral goals? Norway is on target to be completely climate neutral by the year 2050, according to Erik Solheim, environment minister for Norway New Zealand believes that goal will be reached by 2041. Costa Rica, is truly leading the pack. The hope for the country is to completely wipe out emissions by the year 2021, which will be time for a 200th independence anniversary party.You can find the entire article here http://aboutmyplanet.com/environment...limate-neutral

[Roguegal]

That was a very interesting and short article. I notice that the United States wasn't mentioned at all. We must have been hiding in the closet. United States needs to get off on that horse and start running with the rest of the herd before it's too late.

[atula]

A real nice article...feels good to know that countries like Cost Rica considered small have taken such a giant step while big world leaders are still sleeping for this issue.....

[stav]

It's great to see countries making an impact... but it's no coincidence that all three named above are small countires without a huge population.... planting 5million trees is admirable.. but i can't see where they would be able to do the same around London... the population of which is about a dozen times that of the whole of Costa Rica/New Zealand/Norway...

[Green-Moo]

Originally Posted by Roguegal

I notice that the United States wasn't mentioned at all. We must have been hiding in the closet.

The American representative was too ashamed to come out I expect.

Congratulations to those top three.

[Green-Moo]

Originally Posted by stav

.... planting 5million trees is admirable.. but i can't see where they would be able to do the same around London... the population of which is about a dozen times that of the whole of Costa Rica/New Zealand/Norway...

Agreed, but planting even 5 trees would be a start. The UK may have difficulty with 5 million trees, but it certainly isn't doing all that it could.

[mollyL]

This kind of article gives me hope. Tree planting is something any country, or even person, can do.
When the Resident finally skulks his last out of the White House, I hope we'll begin to see some kind of improvement that the US can make to the environment. Of course, Junior set us back so far it will be ages until we can erase just his big oily footprint. But, just beginning in the right direction will be a happy day for all of us.

[stav]

Oh I agree with both you ladies, and the UK could indeed do very much more. I am just saying that the number of trees you plant is not really an indicator of how much you are doing against climate change and other green issues overall..

I think the UK has a pretty good record in that regard compared to most of the bigger industrialised nations.

Molly, if McCain is your next President do you think he will be much different to Bush?

[RFL1986]

Costa Rica ranking third kind of surprised me. I thought they were one of the nations that were well-known for having problems involving clear-cutting to make way for farms? Does anyone know what has changed in the country to change their environmental reputation?

[Roguegal]

Or the representative was ashamed or not is beside the point. He should have been there representing the USA and not playing with him self. The US has to join the rest of the world and this type of project as well as others.