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Australian Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd
has urged the US to take more action on climate change and become
more involved in the global debate on the issue.
As the only developed
nation not to
sign the greenhouse gas-controlling Kyoto Protocol, America's stance
on climate change has made it easier for major developing countries
to avoid acting, Rudd told the Australia-New Zealand Climate Change
and Business Conference in Auckland.
"I think our first step
should be to
get the United States of America fully engaged," Rudd said.
He said he has spoken about
climate
change policy with the US presidential candidates, Republican John
McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.
"What is heartening on that
question
is that both candidates ... have indicated that they will be moving
on this, and with an ambitious set of targets," he said.
A Nobel prize-winning panel
of UN
scientists has said GHG emissions must level off within the next
10-15 years and then start to dramatically decline to avoid a rise in
average temperatures that could have catastrophic consequences.
They warn that an increase
of more than
3.6 degrees Fahrenheit could lead to a rise in sea levels threatening
coastal areas, and the extinction of up to 30% of the planet's
species.
New Zealand Prime Minister
Helen Clark,
who joined Rudd on stage, said American actions were important even
if they did not sign global climate treaties.
If the US did join the
Kyoto system
following the presidential election, its involvement would take away
excuses for inaction from developing countries like China and India,
she noted.
"There is no way the First
World can
solve this problem alone - even if the United States comes in,"
she said. (Source: AP)
August 21, 2008
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