World leaders met today to discuss climate change, in an attempt by Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon to jumpstart talks, which are badly stalled, in advance of the Negotiations taking place this December in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General said the following:
Failure to reach a broad agreement in Copenhagen would be morally inexcusable, economically shortsighted, and politically unwise. We cannot go down that road.
President Obama also acknowledged the need to move forward and assured the assembled leaders that the U.S. is ready to move forward, saying "this is a new day".
President Hu Jintao acknowledged that China will have to do its part. He publicly committed to intensity reductions, which would require reductions in greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not address the UN, and did not attend much of the summit. Opposition critics say, this is because he does not have a plan he wishes to publicly speak about at such a high level.
It is positive to see these major world leaders showing such aspirations. However, it is troubling that the details are still so far from being decided. When will Canada speak up with a truly positive message?
This positive but slow progress also comes the same day as scientists again warned that the Greenland Ice Sheet is melting much faster than predicted. They say that the current science being used to base international policy on is drastically out of date. Time to get moving folks!
I think it is great that China starts to show some that they are willing to contribute. I was a bit disappointed of Obama, he just mentioned what he had done, I would have liked to hear what he will do. The Secretary. general said some good words, especially as he is many times more laid back.
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