Speaking July 9 at the G8 meeting in L’Aquila, Italy, President Obama said climate change is one of the “defining challenges of our time” and can no longer be ignored.
G8 leaders agreed that by 2050, developed nations will reduce carbon emissions 80 percent below a base year that was not specified. They also agreed to work with other nations to cut overall global emissions in half.
Obama acknowledged that developed and developing nations have different priorities because of their differing levels of economic development. Developing nations do not want to “sacrifice their aspirations for development and higher living standards,” but they must be active participants in a climate change solution, Obama said.
On the other hand, developed nations have “the much larger carbon footprint per capita,” Obama said, which carries a “historic responsibility to take the lead.”
“I know that in the past, the United States has sometimes fallen short of meeting our responsibilities. So let me be clear: Those days are over,” Obama said.
For more, see “G8 Nations Agree to Cut Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2050.”
Comments (2)
ilyas mohsin
Location: Islamabad
11 July 2009 at 01:12 EDT
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Recognizing that the developing nations do not want to “sacrifice their aspirations for development and higher living standards,” the President urges their help in finding a solution to Climate change. IN contrast to the audacity of his naive predecessor, Obama showed the courage to admit that the developed ones had “the much larger carbon footprint per capita,” and were obliged to accept “historic responsibility to take the lead.”
“I know that in the past, the United States has sometimes fallen short of meeting our responsibilities. So let me be clear: Those days are over,” makes his real PUNCH.
Obama’ language is perfect. It may annoy the lunatic fringe but brings honor to US which is something new after a seven-year grind in to shame. He is still producing Hope. Let us hope he can muster enough support to quash the vested interests/powerful lobbies to do justice and restore US’ image.
onono patrick
Location: location.
11 July 2009 at 02:44 EDT
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We human being must learn to be good steward and protect the earth and the environment in which we live.