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Saudi King Gives $300 Million to Climate Change Research, Saudi Prince Buys Massive Jet
Written by Chris 
Saudi Arabian ruler King Abdullah has announced that the country will give $300 million towards research into lowering emissions.
The King made the announcement during a speech at a gathering of OPEC heads in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, saying: "We will give $300 million for research into helping the environment."
OPEC had earlier announced that it supported the fight against global warming, and would support initiatives to help fight climate change.
The Saudi King’s gesture may seem like a positive step forward by some, but it seems almost laughable in light of other recent news involving the Saudi royal family. Airbus recently announced that Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal was the first person to purchase their USD 319 M Airbus SAS A380 superjet, for use as a private plane.
With a list price of $319 million, plus Airbus’ estimate of several hundred million more to outfit the interior, the Prince’s jet will likely come in at around double the amount the King will donate towards emission lowering research. I guess we could think of it as something like a carbon credit. So, that’s $300 million worth of research for the millions of tons of CO2 the jet will rack up as it flies the Prince and his entourage around in a style befitting an oil sheik.
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Amin (not verified) says:
Dec 14th, 2008 at 6am
Actually, for your own knowledge, Alwaleed bin Talal is considered as a businessman in Saudi Arabia, he doesn't have any major political position and therefore does not have to do anything with the governmental and politic acts. I think jealousy sometime spoils out the way you think, Mr.
Fahad (not verified) says:
Dec 21st, 2008 at 4am
Hey, its hypocritical. But guess what, instead of buying 2 planes, they considered buying 1 plane and the money for the other plane to be spent on research. Fuck, if countries were as rich as the countries in the Middle East, I bet they won't give shit. Instead of trying to catch someone and making something funny, why not appreciate what's given for free. Jesus.
environmentalist (not verified) says:
I would say, instead of criticizing the amout given by the Saudi's, we should ask the Airbus and the Bowing to donate some thing similar. We should alway try to encourage such acts by politicians and whoever is going to support the enviroment.