19 february 2001
rich countries must cut fossil fuels
un issues global warning
Rich countries such as Britain and the USA
must cut fossil fuels such as oil, gas and
coal to prevent a climate catastrophe,
Friends of the Earth International said today
as the United Nations publishes its latest
report on global climate change [1]. The
report warns that the world's poorest
countries would "bear the brunt of
devastating changes" from global warming.
FOE also called on European Governments to
stand firm and force US President George W.
Bush to agree an effective international deal
on cutting emissions. The UN climate talks
are due to resume in July.
Frances Maguire, Climate Policy
co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth
International said:
"This report shows that climate change
will be a disaster for the world in general
and for the poorest countries in
particular.
This catastrophe was made in the rich
countries of the North. Governments in
industrial countries must agree radical cuts
in our use of coal, oil and gas, and big
increases in the use of renewable power. If
we don't act now it may be too late."
Three months ago, world talks on cutting
emissions floundered because the U.S. would
not match the European commitment to cut
emissions. Europe must stand firm when talks
resume in July and force the US to act
responsibly."
[1] "Climate Change 2001:impacts,
adaptation and vulnerability" was published
today by the United Nations'
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A
summary for policy makers is available at the
ipcc web
site
(http://www.unep.ch/ipcc/).
Roger Higman 00 44 (0) 7780 661807
(mob)
Frances MacGuire 00 44 (0) 7712 843 460
(mob)
Press Office 00 44 (0) 207 566 1649 (direct
line)
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