CANADA SNUBS G8 EMISSIONSTARGET
July 10, 2009
National Post
SUMMIT SETS 80% 70% reduction by 2050 ‘realistic,’ Prentice says
L’AQUILA, ITALY • The Canadian government refused yesterday to adjust its plan to combat global warming even though its objectives fall short of the new commitment from the G8 group of industrialized countries to slash greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century.
That made Canada one of the targets for criticism after U.S. President Barack Obama failed yesterday to obtain clear commitments from emerging industrial powerhouses such as China and India to commit to specific targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Critics, from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to environmental lobby groups, said developed countries didn’t show adequate leadership at the G8 summit here.
But Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Environment Minister, Jim Prentice, said Canada is doing all it can in advance of the UN-sponsored negotiations in Copenhagen in December aimed at a new climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol, the 1997 treaty that will expire in 2012.
Canada joined its partners in the G8 group of industrialized countries — the United States, Russia, Japan, Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy — in supporting an overall 80% cut in emissions by 2050.
But Mr. Prentice said the Canadian government won’t budge from its vow to reduce emissions by 60% to 70% by 2050.
“This is a realistic target [given] the climate we have, the industrial base we have, our population growth,” Mr. Prentice told reporters.
Mr. Harper said Canada’s reduction plan is in line with the Obama administration’s.
“If we had regulations that are not similar to the United States, we will simply have a loss of business and production to the United States.”
Russia also said it wouldn’t abide by the G8 pledge.
A coalition of Canadian environmental groups said the Harper government’s targets fall far short of its global responsibility as one of the world’s wealthiest nations.
“Canada’s current 2020 target, which is equivalent to just 3% below 1990 levels, falls far short of the emission cuts needed to avoid dangerous climate change,” Climate Action Network Canada said in a statement.
Mr. Obama led a meeting of 16 major greenhouse-gas emitting countries plus representatives of the European Union yesterday in a bid to get a broader commitment in support of overall global reductions of 50% by 2050.
The group, called the Major Economies Forum, agreed with the G8 that an average global temperature increase of two degrees Celsius above preindustrial age levels would be catastrophic. The planet is now 0.8 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
However, they failed to accept specific targets due to foot-dragging from India and China, countries that have complained that their richer counterparts haven’t set sufficiently aggressive medium term targets for 2020. This is a distraction from the real reasons.
The developing world also wants a multibillion-dollar support package to help their economies adjust.
The UN’s Mr. Ban issued a statement yesterday saying he’s disappointed with the results this week and is, therefore, calling for a global summit in September to try to build momentum heading into the critical Copenhagen talks in December.
“The time for delays and half-measures is over,” he said.
He said political leadership is needed “to protect people and the planet from one of the most serious challenges ever to confront humanity.”
Brazil also questioned the G8’s leadership, saying the 2050 target was “not credible” unless it was accompanied by targets for 2020 — the year when the UN says emissions must peak and start to move downward.
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It is important to note who is and is not in line - CANADA not in line. BRAZIL not in line. CHINA not in line. INDIA not in line.
There are others and it is more important to figure out who is not than worry about the US taking the lead.
We will destroy our economy to try to get in line with countries who will be sidelined by india and China and ultimately weakened as a result.
The evidence is clear. The future is clear.
Following this path will destroy the United States as a world superpower and allow India and China and others to pass us.
This WILL NOT help the world.
global warming
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