Environment, and what to do!

anneshirley

I found this article very interesting, particularly because I agree with the emerging nations on this.  The countries that caused the problems are insisting that the emerging nations share an equal load in cutting emissions.  I agree with the emerging nations that those who caused the problem have a larger responsibility for fixing it, and that puts the U.S. at the top for taking some responsibility.  I'd be curious to see the reactions of both Obama and McCain to these demands.    

Big emerging nations demand G8 greenhouse gas cuts

Tue Jul 8, 2008 7:39am EDT

SAPPORO, Japan (Reuters) - Five big emerging economies on Tuesday staked out tough positions on greenhouse gas emissions and food and energy security, ahead of talks on climate change with rich countries in the Group of Eight.

In a statement, the five nations urged the G8 countries to shoulder their own responsibilities on climate change by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Mexico, Brazil, China, India and South Africa also urged all developed countries to commit themselves to absolute emission reductions based on a medium-term target of a 25-40 percent cut below 1990 levels by 2020.

The five set out their position after meeting prior to joining the G8 for discussions on Wednesday, the final day of the rich countries' annual summit on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Earlier, G8 leaders said they would work with nearly 200 states in United Nations climate change talks to adopt a goal of at least halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The G8 also said mid-term goals would be needed to achieve that target, without specifying details of what they might be.

But the South African environment minister said the G8 goal was an "empty slogan", while other countries also deflected blame for rising food and energy prices and called on rich nations to do their part.

Negotiations for reductions of greenhouse gas emissions must take "into account historical responsibility and respective capacities as a fair and just approach," the five countries said in a joint communique.

The five said rich countries should spend 0.5 percent of their gross domestic product on helping developing countries to adapt to climate change, and fulfil commitments to allocate 0.7 percent of gross national product to aid.