Rio: Summit to Save the Earth

The Negotiations Scoreboard

WHAT THEY'VE DONE

AGREED, in principle, that polluters ought to bear the cost of their pollution, that poverty ought to be eradicated and that "appropriate demographic policies" (i.e., family planning) ought to be promoted.

ACKNOWLEDGED that developed countries, having put more "pressure" on the world environment, bear some responsibility for putting it right.

AGREED to give "special priority" to the needs of the developing countries -- without specifying what those priorities might be.

CAME up with a 600-plus-page "agenda" to save the planet, with a price tag of more than $600 billion a year but not yet agreed on plans for raising the bulk of the money.

AGREED to try to roll back emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by the end of the decade, with the understanding that 1990 levels would be a desirable -- but not mandatory -- target.

EXTRACTED a $75 million commitment from the U.S. to help developing countries with the effort to combat global warming.

WHAT THEY COULD STILL DO

FORGIVE some part of the developing nations' $1.2 trillion debt if they set up additional nature preserves in ecologically critical areas, like the tropical rain forests.

GIVE developing nations preferential access to new, environmentally friendly technology.

EXTRACT a commitment of $3 billion to $6 billion in new funding from developed countries to help pay for the environmental agenda.

WHAT THEY SHOULD DO BUT WON'T

CONFER tangible value to species in biologically diverse regions by requiring payment of royalties for the use of their genetic materials.

FIND a way to put the brakes on the world's spiraling population, which will otherwise double by the year 2050.

PUT an international tax on emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

PUT strict limits on the trade of timber from the earth's remaining virgin forests.

SET up a recycling plan in every major city in the world.

GIVE the United Nations broad powers to create an environmental police force for the planet.

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