No matter how many catchy programme titles it lists or glossy reports it hands out, the Bush Administration has no intention of reducing US emissions. And therefore, the world’s largest emitter cannot honestly claim to be addressing climate change.

The excitement over Kyoto’s recent entry into force has been tempered by questions of what the recent US election means for efforts to protect the climate. Yes, George W Bush got re-elected.Nothing can be done about that at this point. What is...