Oh excuse me, I misspoke. As I rub my blurry eyes and wake up from this dream I am now being informed that G-8 leaders have decided to "consider and adopt in the UNFCCC negotiations, the goal of achieving at least 50% reduction of global emissions by 2050." This plan wouldn't go into effect until the Copenhagen global climate change discussions at the end of 2009, of course. Well, considering the adoption of a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% is global leadership, right? And that's the ethical and ecological thing to do when climate scientists worldwide are calling for a 65-85% reduction in emissions from developed nations (with a short term goal of at least 20% reductions by 2020), right?

Sorry guys, and gal. Our planet is facing rather unprecedented climate, energy, extinction, and food crises. Citizens in the developed world and those struggling to cope with harsh times in already underdeveloped nations are looking to you all for visionary and courageous leadership to drastically reduce carbon emissions. Now is not the time for more picturesque photo-ops. Now, more than ever, we are depending on you to make the necessary and immediate commitments, guided by science, to preserving our environment for generations to come.

For more on the G-8's disappointing climate commitments check out the BBC's piercing critique.