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press release sunday 3 july
2005
g8 leaders must not compromise on climate
change
edinburgh/london, 3 july 2005 - The
leaders of the world's richest nations must
not allow US President George Bush and the
"axis of environmental evil" that supports
him, to water down the final G8 statement on
tackling climate change, Friends of the Earth
International said today.
The call follows media speculation that
Bush may sign up to a "vague" statement
agreeing that climate change is a reality,
but don't want any concrete measures to
tackle it.
Friends of the Earth International says
that a weak communique on climate change will
be a backward step in efforts to tackle the
problem, and give George Bush and his friends
in the oil industry an undeserved diplomatic
coup. It called on the G8 leaders to issue a
majority communique rather than cave in to
pressure from the US administration.
Pressure is growing in the US for action
to tackle climate change: Many Republican
senators now accept the reality of
human-induced global warming,while several
states have decided to cut emissions, and
more than 150 city mayors have adopted
Kyoto-style emissions reduction targets. And
writing in a UK national paper today, the
Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger
says "The debate is over. We know the
science. We see the threat posed by changes
in our climate. And we know the time for
action is now" and calls on "Governments
everywhere" to tackle carbon emissions [1].
Friends of the Earth International vice
chair Tony Juniper said: "The leaders of the
world's richest nations must stand firm in
their resolve to combat climate change. They
must not allow President Bush, and the axis
of environmental evil that supports him, to
water down their final communique on climate.
President Bush is becoming increasingly
isolated over his refusal to face up to his
global responsibilities, internationally and
domestically.
"A statement on climate change backed up
by a commitment to tough targets from seven
G8 members is far better than a weak version
to keep the Bush administration happy. It's
time to get tough on climate change, the
biggest threat the planet faces."
Friends of the Earth wants to see
commitments from the G8 leaders in the
following areas:
-
Global average temperatures must not be
allowed to rise by more than two degrees
centigrade higher than pre-industrial
levels.
-
An agreement by G8 nations for
specific, substantial and timetabled cuts
in their domestic emissions of greenhouse
gases.
-
An agreement that offers innovative and
substantial financing mechanisms to
increase and diversify the energy mix. This
must include more renewable energy and
greater efforts towards energy efficiency.
-
Urgent assistance is needed for those
developing countries already facing the
devastating effects of climate change.
A Friends of the Earth briefing on G8 and
climate change can be found at:
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/g8_summit_media_briefing_28062005.html
for more information
contact
In Scotland
Catherine Pearce, International Climate
campaigner, + 44 (0)7811283641 (m)
Helen Burley, Press Officer, + 44 (0) 7778
069 930 (m)
Lang Banks, Press Officer, 0131 554 9977/ +
44 (0) 7813 766759 (m)
In London
Neil Verlander, Press Office, +
44(0)2075661649/ + 44(0)7712843209 (m)
notes:
[1] Article is online at
http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/article296377.ece
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