There is ozone, and there is ozone. The US doesn't care for either?

Thanks to a friend, whose Facebook post led me to this news item, I came to know that there is something called International Ozone Day, which was a couple of days ago on the 16th.  In this case, it is to remind ourselves of the need to preserve the ozone in the stratosphere, about 20 miles above us.

So, what was the news?

Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said developed nations were hesitant to vow for such a step during discussions on climate change-related issues.

“The transfer of technology is the most important issue. And developed countries took the responsibility under the Montreal Protocol, which has not yet happened under other discussions that we are having,” she said, while addressing International Ozone Day celebrations in New Delhi.

She said the widely ratified Montreal Protocol dealing with the issue of ozone layer depletion could serve as a model of global cooperation while addressing serious environmental concerns.

Ms. Natarajan’s remarks came a day after she made it clear that India will press for developed nations to agree to a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the Durban conference on climate change later this year. 

My first thought was this: Natarajan is the environment minister? What happened to Jairam Ramesh?  Wikipedia notes that he has been moved to a different ministry now--I suppose it was because how his closer-to-truth statements and decisions were triggers for discomfort all around.  Let us see how much of an old self he is after this "promotion."  Too bad; as I have blogged before, I liked that guy!

Anyway, Natarajan correctly points out that developed countries need to do a lot more than they say on these global issues.

Meanwhile, there is also a ground-level ozone issue--well, way closer to the ground, that is.  And this ozone is not something we want to protect, but want to reduce instead.  This is the ozone that causes a great deal of health problems.  Here too, the US recently said that we simply don't care!  

Maybe we ought to celebrate the consistent approach the US takes? :)

As even the business-friendly Wall Street Journal notes, Obama's decision to scrap proposed rules to toughen air quality standards was a "political bet."  And then, after such actions, we walk around as the world's cop complaining about the emissions from India and China?  And expect them to fold?