The Bush administration record on climate change is one of the worst among affluent nations. Years of stonewalling and denial finally gave way to pressure, when the White House released a long overdue report on the impact of global warming in May of this year.

The report includes the statement:

“It is likely that there has been a substantial human contribution to surface temperature increases in North America.”

If this indicates a genuine change of heart, Bush's behavior certainly doesn't reflect it.

At a meeting at the Windsor Hotel in Hokkaido, leaders of the world's richest nations got together this week to discuss new targets for cutting carbon emissions.

While Nicolas Sarkozy and Gordon Brown looked on in disbelief, Bush ended the meeting with the words:

"Goodbye from the world's greatest polluter."

The US president then punched the air with his fist while grinning broadly.

Bush's adolescent bravado was the equivalent of giving the finger to critics who have long been holding America's feet to the fire on the environment. But the display just added to the impression of a buffoon who is thankfully heading for the White House exit.

This wasn't the only gaffe. Bush also came under criticism this week after a White House press pack was discovered to contain an unflattering description of Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. He was described as one of the "most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for government corruption and vice".

The statement while essentially true, was undiplomatic, and the White House had to apologize for what it claims was "sloppy work."