Title: EU & US could unite on post-Kyoto treat, says Gore
earthmother - October 12, 2006 08:15 PM (GMT)
http://euobserver.com/9/22596?rss_rk=1
EU and US could unite on post-Kyoto treaty, says Al Gore
09.10.2006 - 17:42 CET | By Lucia Kubosova
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - US ex-vice president Al Gore has said he understands Europe's frustration over his country's reluctance to ratify the Kyoto protocol on climate change - but insisted that both superpowers could still unite over the issue as support for green goals is rising across the US.
Speaking in Brussels on Sunday (8 October) and presenting Belgium's premiere of his global-warming documentary "An Inconvenient Truth," Mr Gore pointed out that despite the EU's leadership, the bloc still has a lot to do - in terms of energy saving and reducing CO2 emissions - to face "by far the most serious crisis that we have ever faced."
In line with the scientific research highlighted in his movie, Mr Gore suggested the world is currently going through a "full-scale planetary emergency."
"Our planet has a fever. And the fever has been going steadily higher and it's not going away," he added.
"I understand your frustration over the fact that the US had taken the wrong path," on this subject he said, referring to the current Republican administration's opposition to the Kyoto treaty as the country's "moral lapse."
EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas, also present at the event co-organised by the Brussels-based think tank the Lisbon Council, noted that the world needed "the full involvement" of the most powerful country.
"A crucial next step will be for the United States to realise that it is in their own interest to lead the fight against climate change," he said, adding that he wished Europeans could vote in the US presidential elections to influence the country's policies that affect the globe.
The Brussels-based audience gave a loud cheer to Mr Dimas' comment referring back to the 2000 presidential elections when Mr Gore, under the Democrat administration of Bill Clinton, lost to his Republican competitor, the current president George W. Bush.
Mr Gore - who presents himself as someone who "used to be the next US president" in the movie - said there is now a growing support for the commitments of the Kyoto protocol in his country despite White House opposition.
This support includes nine states and over 300 cities that have opted to follow its goals sparking hope that a future US administration will join other nations either on Kyoto or its successor global treaty, according to Mr Gore.
The EU is responsible for around 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions today and its 15 "old" member states have committed to reducing them by 8 percent below 1990 levels until 2012.
This target has been translated into specific legally binding instruments for the EU countries.
By the end of 2003, emissions from the EU-15 were down 1.7% below 1990 levels while combined emissions from all 25 member states stood 8% lower, according to the European Commission.
EU and US could unite on post-Kyoto treaty, says Al Gore
09.10.2006 - 17:42 CET | By Lucia Kubosova
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - US ex-vice president Al Gore has said he understands Europe's frustration over his country's reluctance to ratify the Kyoto protocol on climate change - but insisted that both superpowers could still unite over the issue as support for green goals is rising across the US.
Speaking in Brussels on Sunday (8 October) and presenting Belgium's premiere of his global-warming documentary "An Inconvenient Truth," Mr Gore pointed out that despite the EU's leadership, the bloc still has a lot to do - in terms of energy saving and reducing CO2 emissions - to face "by far the most serious crisis that we have ever faced."
In line with the scientific research highlighted in his movie, Mr Gore suggested the world is currently going through a "full-scale planetary emergency."
"Our planet has a fever. And the fever has been going steadily higher and it's not going away," he added.
"I understand your frustration over the fact that the US had taken the wrong path," on this subject he said, referring to the current Republican administration's opposition to the Kyoto treaty as the country's "moral lapse."
EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas, also present at the event co-organised by the Brussels-based think tank the Lisbon Council, noted that the world needed "the full involvement" of the most powerful country.
"A crucial next step will be for the United States to realise that it is in their own interest to lead the fight against climate change," he said, adding that he wished Europeans could vote in the US presidential elections to influence the country's policies that affect the globe.
The Brussels-based audience gave a loud cheer to Mr Dimas' comment referring back to the 2000 presidential elections when Mr Gore, under the Democrat administration of Bill Clinton, lost to his Republican competitor, the current president George W. Bush.
Mr Gore - who presents himself as someone who "used to be the next US president" in the movie - said there is now a growing support for the commitments of the Kyoto protocol in his country despite White House opposition.
This support includes nine states and over 300 cities that have opted to follow its goals sparking hope that a future US administration will join other nations either on Kyoto or its successor global treaty, according to Mr Gore.
The EU is responsible for around 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions today and its 15 "old" member states have committed to reducing them by 8 percent below 1990 levels until 2012.
This target has been translated into specific legally binding instruments for the EU countries.
By the end of 2003, emissions from the EU-15 were down 1.7% below 1990 levels while combined emissions from all 25 member states stood 8% lower, according to the European Commission.
earthmother - October 12, 2006 08:17 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| "A crucial next step will be for the United States to realise that it is in their own interest to lead the fight against climate change," he said, adding that he wished Europeans could vote in the US presidential elections to influence the country's policies that affect the globe. |
Doesn't Gore see that the best person to make sure this next step happens would be Gore himself? It's certainly obvious to the rest of us.
Wayne in WA State - October 13, 2006 08:46 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (earthmother @ Oct 12 2006, 02:17 PM) | ||
Doesn't Gore see that the best person to make sure this next step happens would be Gore himself? It's certainly obvious to the rest of us. |
Earthmother, the implications that I draw on this statement of the EU and the US uniting on a post-Kyoto treaty would require that both the US and the EU have the political will and the far-sighted courageous leadership to negotioate and enact such a future agreement.
I would draw from that statement that Gore understands the vital necessity of American leadership to, how shall I put this, SHOW LEADERSHIP!
Therefore, even if he does not personally enjoy the toxic side-effects of participation in the American political system, I think it implies he would make that sacrifice for the good of this country to be the American President, if he is assured of our support.
America cannot solve the climate crisis by itself. But America in the wrong hands could derail a solution. What does America want it's legacy to be? :puffgrl: :turtle: :spidy:
earthmother - October 13, 2006 03:20 PM (GMT)
I read it that way, too, Wayne. I was really just overstating my frustration with the obvious. :wacko:
I think Gore knows that no one else will have the political will to make this happen. And I believe that he feels so strongly about this that he would make the personal sacrifice.
I believe, I believe . . .
I think Gore knows that no one else will have the political will to make this happen. And I believe that he feels so strongly about this that he would make the personal sacrifice.
I believe, I believe . . .