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Blair Sends Mixed Signals on Climate Change
November 16, 2005 -- At a recent climate change conference held on November 1,
delegates from twenty countries with some of the world’s largest economies
convened in London to discuss efforts to use more clean energy technology. At
the conference, British Prime Minister Tony Blair stated his reluctance to
pursue more mandatory caps for greenhouse gas pollutants. Blair’s switch comes
at a crucial time in light of the upcoming UN climate negotiations, which will
be held from November 28 to December 9 in Montreal. There, countries will
discuss the future of the Kyoto Protocol and the framework for action after
2012, the date of the Kyoto Protocol pollution targets.
Members of the Group of Eight industrialized countries met with other diplomats,
notably from India and China, to address alternative ways to reduce pollution as
opposed to setting mandatory targets for reducing emissions. Prime Minister
Blair said, “The blunt truth about the politics of climate change is that no
country will want to sacrifice its economy in order to meet this challenge.”
Delegates agreed to share clean technology in order to ultimately decrease
greenhouse gas emissions.
Just two weeks later, Blair reassured Ministers of Parliament, “I am absolutely
in favor not just of the Kyoto Treaty, which this Government actually helped
bring about, but also of a framework which includes binding targets.” His
position on climate change seems to be wavering in response to a backlash from
various British environmental groups.
Climate change poses a legitimate threat that does not respect borders, and
cooperation is critical to combat it. Only a comprehensive strategy that
includes technology research, emissions caps and conservation will ensure a
safer world for future generations.
Updated November 16, 2005
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