Tuesday
Sep222009
President Obama Joins Forces At UN Global Climate Summit
Tala Dowlatshahi
The message was clear from the start of the largest ever climate summit-- "Power Green Growth, Protect the Planet," organized on the eve of the United Nations General Assembly. People across the globe are suffering from severe environmental consequences and its happening faster than ever predicted.
Djimon Hounsou, celebrity actor from the film "Blood Diamond," headlined the summit and pleaded with participants:
"Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has asked itself who and what has created us? Why are we here and what is our legacy to those who follow us?" There is no escaping this fact--for one brief moment in time, we all exist on this same planet. The world's leading scientists warn that if we continue on this present course, life on this pale blue dot will be radically transformed. Indeed, it could cease to exist as we know it. That pale blue dot, the only home we have ever known."
The Secretary-General added that climate change has increased pressure on water, food and land and exacerbated poverty. As the world's glaciers continue to melt--the pace of the negotiations must be accelerated.
"You have the power to chart a safer and more prosperous course," he added. "Now is your moment to act. Failure to reach broad agreement in Copenhagen will be morally inexcusable."
The Secretary-General's key man on climate change, Janos Pasztor, reiterated the goals of the Summit:
"We have not heard of any country that said we did not need a agreement. The only question now is what will be in that agreement--some countries are more interested in adaptation and others in financial provisions. At the end of the day, negotiations need to be able to go beyond immediate domestic concerns in every country."
Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlighted the horrifying statistics that recent sea levels have risen 17 centimeters.
"With this increase...every storm surge results in an increase to threats to life."
Pachauri added the frequency of heavy precipitation events has increased in most areas. "The world is increasing emissions--which in the next decade will increase the temperature at a rate of over 12 degrees Fahrenheit."
He said several island states will be immediately threatened including Bangladesh.
President Obama said he hoped later this week to work with colleagues at the G-20 to phase out fossil fuel emissions.
"Most importantly, the House of Representatives passed in June a clean energy bill. Because no one nation can meet this challenge alone, the US has joined forces--in Trinidad, with the World Bank in developing nations--and put climate at the top of our diplomatic agenda. Taken together, these steps are a historic recognition. We understand the gravity of climate threats. We are prepared to act. We did not come here to celebrate progress --we came because there is so much more work to be done. As we head to Copenhagen, the hard work remains in front of us."
"I am here today to say difficulty is no excuse for complacency. Each of us must do what we can, when we can to grow our economies without endangering our planet. We also cannot allow the old divisions to block our progress, " Obama added.
Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China launched a new plan at the Summit which underlined bold changes to promote and tackle global warming in 4 key areas:
1) intensified efforts to conserve energy and cut carbon dioxide per unit GDP by 2020 from 2005 levels, 2) vigorously develop nuclear and renewable energy, 3) energetically promote forest carbon by 40 million hectars by 2020 by 2005 levels and 4) step up efforts to develop green economy and climate friendly technologies.
"Global climate change has a profound impact on the survival of mankind and a major challenge affecting all countries. I wish to highlight a few principles. --the principle of common and differentiated consensus. Achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. Developed countries should support developing countries in tackling climate change. We should make our endeavor a win win for both developed and developing countries. Promoting common development should be the basis of our effort. China has taken and will continue to take practical steps to tackle this challenge."
China has planted 2.6 billion trees in a massive country-wide green campaign.
Jintao emphasized that China is implementing its national climate based program by reducing energy intensity, increase in forest coverage and sharing of renewable energy. He hoped in the years ahead, China will further integrate green climate actions into economic and social plans.
Former Vice President Al Gore, also known as the godfather of climate policy, addressed reporters directly after the Summit opening. He stressed the importance in getting the United States to sign off on the Markey-Waxman climate bill before Copenhagen.
"I think one of the most important statement made this morning by the President of the small island Maldives, is developed countries must undertake binding agreements on reductions. And the question of funding is obviously a necessary part of the agreement in order for an agreement to be ratified and accepted in developed countries---there has to be support, technology transfer and common obligations that are binding. I think that soil carbon conservation and re-carbonization of soil must be the next stage in this negotiating process. A clear signal should be set at Copenhagen."
Japan was also highlighted as a key country and world's top economy for added financial support to developing nations.
"I was extremely impressed by the new Prime Minister's address--Japan has provided tremendous leadership on climate progress," added Gore.
Listen
Djimon Hounsou, celebrity actor from the film "Blood Diamond," headlined the summit and pleaded with participants:
"Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has asked itself who and what has created us? Why are we here and what is our legacy to those who follow us?" There is no escaping this fact--for one brief moment in time, we all exist on this same planet. The world's leading scientists warn that if we continue on this present course, life on this pale blue dot will be radically transformed. Indeed, it could cease to exist as we know it. That pale blue dot, the only home we have ever known."
The Secretary-General added that climate change has increased pressure on water, food and land and exacerbated poverty. As the world's glaciers continue to melt--the pace of the negotiations must be accelerated.
"You have the power to chart a safer and more prosperous course," he added. "Now is your moment to act. Failure to reach broad agreement in Copenhagen will be morally inexcusable."
The Secretary-General's key man on climate change, Janos Pasztor, reiterated the goals of the Summit:
"We have not heard of any country that said we did not need a agreement. The only question now is what will be in that agreement--some countries are more interested in adaptation and others in financial provisions. At the end of the day, negotiations need to be able to go beyond immediate domestic concerns in every country."
Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlighted the horrifying statistics that recent sea levels have risen 17 centimeters.
"With this increase...every storm surge results in an increase to threats to life."
Pachauri added the frequency of heavy precipitation events has increased in most areas. "The world is increasing emissions--which in the next decade will increase the temperature at a rate of over 12 degrees Fahrenheit."
He said several island states will be immediately threatened including Bangladesh.
President Obama said he hoped later this week to work with colleagues at the G-20 to phase out fossil fuel emissions.
"Most importantly, the House of Representatives passed in June a clean energy bill. Because no one nation can meet this challenge alone, the US has joined forces--in Trinidad, with the World Bank in developing nations--and put climate at the top of our diplomatic agenda. Taken together, these steps are a historic recognition. We understand the gravity of climate threats. We are prepared to act. We did not come here to celebrate progress --we came because there is so much more work to be done. As we head to Copenhagen, the hard work remains in front of us."
"I am here today to say difficulty is no excuse for complacency. Each of us must do what we can, when we can to grow our economies without endangering our planet. We also cannot allow the old divisions to block our progress, " Obama added.
Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China launched a new plan at the Summit which underlined bold changes to promote and tackle global warming in 4 key areas:
1) intensified efforts to conserve energy and cut carbon dioxide per unit GDP by 2020 from 2005 levels, 2) vigorously develop nuclear and renewable energy, 3) energetically promote forest carbon by 40 million hectars by 2020 by 2005 levels and 4) step up efforts to develop green economy and climate friendly technologies.
"Global climate change has a profound impact on the survival of mankind and a major challenge affecting all countries. I wish to highlight a few principles. --the principle of common and differentiated consensus. Achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. Developed countries should support developing countries in tackling climate change. We should make our endeavor a win win for both developed and developing countries. Promoting common development should be the basis of our effort. China has taken and will continue to take practical steps to tackle this challenge."
China has planted 2.6 billion trees in a massive country-wide green campaign.
Jintao emphasized that China is implementing its national climate based program by reducing energy intensity, increase in forest coverage and sharing of renewable energy. He hoped in the years ahead, China will further integrate green climate actions into economic and social plans.
Former Vice President Al Gore, also known as the godfather of climate policy, addressed reporters directly after the Summit opening. He stressed the importance in getting the United States to sign off on the Markey-Waxman climate bill before Copenhagen.
"I think one of the most important statement made this morning by the President of the small island Maldives, is developed countries must undertake binding agreements on reductions. And the question of funding is obviously a necessary part of the agreement in order for an agreement to be ratified and accepted in developed countries---there has to be support, technology transfer and common obligations that are binding. I think that soil carbon conservation and re-carbonization of soil must be the next stage in this negotiating process. A clear signal should be set at Copenhagen."
Japan was also highlighted as a key country and world's top economy for added financial support to developing nations.
"I was extremely impressed by the new Prime Minister's address--Japan has provided tremendous leadership on climate progress," added Gore.
Listen
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