Some thinking aloud:
It appears the economy is the number one priority right now. And there is an argument to be made that keeping people from starving to death and living in chaos is a legitimate priority. However, the money to do that is coming from non-renewable, carbon spewing natural resources. A bit of a deal with the devil at the moment.
Russia's not being imperialist. That's simply unfounded. A flag under the North Pole? Who cares. I suggest that any hesitancy (might be a polite way of putting it) to fight global warming is most probably rooted in a combination of ignorance of the subject and other more tangible and immediate priorities, rather than megalomania or something.
It's taken us how long to come around to the idea? We still can't get the US to take a firm stand. So good luck convincing an equally proud, "sovereign," religious and ... well, stubborn nation - and one that is A LOT COLDER - to cooperate with us to fight global warming.
Actually, we've spent the last almost Century treating Russia like dirt. That they don't want to listen to us might say as much or more about us than it does about them...
Remind me who spent the better part of the 20the Century lecturing Russia on the inherent superiority of our wasteful, consumerist, materialist, capitalist culture. So they took our advice, followed in our footsteps, and now we are shocked and appalled by their shiny new wasteful, consumerist, materialist, capitalist culture. Let's all give ourselves a pat on the backs.
Why I'm not 100% forlorn about Russia's economic policies (I use the term even though I have no clue what they are....):
Russia has a strong and remarkable history of scientific innovation. They are not risk adverse to coming up with new ways of making stuff work. And they are adaptable.
They embrace the whole nuclear energy thing.
Energy efficiency. It saves money. Putin doesn't have a record of favoring ideology over financial incentives...
Though I don't know that they'd ever self-identify as environmentalists, they love their nature, and have a pretty significant cultural bond with it. It might be the same in Europe, but it's not so much in the States. I feel we see a forest and envision a new Walmart, whereas they look at one ans envision a good mushroom hunt. Ok, those are stereotypes, but I'm not aware of a bizarre urge to pave everything in sight over there. It's been heading in that direction, but I'm not convinced of its staying power. So yes, nature, environment. I think anyone who has lived there understands who is at the mercy of whom in the battle between nature and humans.
Why I'm not 100% hopeful about Russia's economic policies (I use the term even though I have no clue what they are....):
Still waiting for that economy to diversify... "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
Batchushka! I agree with you. Let people take a look at a Michelin road map of Europe they will see that AUTOBAHNS stop at the borders of Poland. Look at Russia, and compare the miles of super highways they have with the number of miles the SUPER rich Western countries have. See CIA factfiles.
You will be astounded. Then think how much a mile of a super-highway costs. Then ask yourself why doesn't Russia, Ukraine or Byelorussia have super-highways.
The answer is simple. IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE.
Now. You though keep on attacking Russia and Putin for all their shortfalls, but you do not think of how much money has to be put into that infrastructure to make it modern and efficient.
Do you think that they are purposely keeping their roads in such condition? Is it another Russian ploy?
If the US is dragging its feet over green house emissions-and it is, and if it is looking through China's fingers because OUR production lines are there, then lets be clear and ask ourselves: what is it that makes us attack Russia?
ANY ANSWERS? "Only puny secrets need protection. Big discoveries are protected by public incredulity." MMcL
I have a theory that we see in them what we don't like about ourselves. But I'm probably the only person in the universe who feels that way.
I've never had the urge to attack Russia, myself, so I really don't know. I'm more inclined to be on the defending end of things. Apparently, even when things are indefensible, because it's always indefensible when it comes to Russia, isn't it? Sigh... "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
