The Obama administration is asked to lead on climate change action in China, Indonesia and Canada.
Together, the Obama administration and China have an historic
opportunity to act on both the most serious economic crisis in
decades and the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced - the
looming climate disaster.
"The summer melting of the Arctic,
more severe hurricanes, increasing drought, wildfires and
heatwaves; these impacts are all signs of an increasingly chaotic
climate system that will undermine the economic and development
goals of all nations.
Time is running out. Dr James Hansen,
a leading climatologist from NASA, recently stated that the world
is now in "imminent peril". The window for avoiding that peril is
narrow, and closing rapidly, but it is not yet closed. With the
right leadership, we can bring global greenhouse gas emissions
under control, set them on a downward trajectory, and avoid the
most catastrophic impacts of climate change."
-- Extract from our open letter to
Hillary Clinton and Yang Jiechi
For all the ways in which the US and China are different there
is onething they share - the immediate need to stop climate change.
China andthe US are the world's two biggest greenhouse gas
emitters. Commitments from both nations may differ but the urgency
of the task facing us means every nation must play its part.
Our letter, addressed to both the US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton and the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, states: "The
current economic crisis provides an unprecedented opportunity to
make investments in a way that creates jobs, rebuilds critical
infrastructure and lays the foundation for a new energy economy in
both nations."
The US and China need to show leadership for strong climate
action, ensuring a sustainable energy future and economic security.
By the end of this year, governments must agree to rapidly
accelerate action on climate change. A negotiation process will
begin soon and concludes at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen
this December.
It's not too late - yet
We are calling on Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao, when
they meet ahead of April's G20 meeting in London, to issue a joint
statement on the need for global action and their commitment to
ensure an effective plan is agreed. We have also asked them to
attend the Copenhagen meeting in person and hope they will call on
the rest of world to join them in their efforts - before it's too
late.
While there have already been encouraging signs of cooperation
between the two countries on renewable energy and energy
efficiency, we want to make it absolutely clear that leadership is
essential and time is quickly running out. The creation of a new
development model that meets energy, moves both nations away from
coal, and generates millions of green jobs without sacrificing
human health or the environment is not only possible - it is
absolutely vital. Also needed is an equitable financial mechanism
encouraging greener development not only in China but also
throughout Southern Nations.
Urgency underlined in Indonesia
Hillary Clinton also received a similar letter from our
Southeast Asia office while she was visiting Indonesia recently.
The letter, addressed to her and President Yudhoyono, was delivered
to the US Embassy and the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Our
activists held a rally outside as a meeting took place between the
two leaders.
We called on Clinton to use her visit to take action against
climate change. Developed countries like the US must provide funds
to countries like Indonesia in order for them to tackle global
warming by preserving forests and reducing greenhouse
emissions.
This image of rainforest being burned for a palm oil plantation
in Indonesia was also given to Secretary Clinton.
Hoping Obama will say "No we won't" for a change
Meanwhile in Canada,
President Obama was extended a warm Canadian welcome
whenactivists unveiled two large banners on the Alexandra Bridgein
Ottawa that read "Welcome President Obama" and "Climate
LeadersDon't Buy Tar Sands".
Greenpeace Canada is urging that he puts climate change
andenergy issues at the top of his agenda during the visit. We hope
the new US president will tell Prime Minister Harperthat the
dirtiest oil on the planet does not fit with his plan for agreen
economy.
While campaigning in 2008, Obama described oil as "a19th century
fossil fuel that is dirty, dwindling, and dangerouslyexpensive." If
President Obama supportslow-carbon fuel standards in the US he
would discourage the importingof oil from tar sands. Canada is now
the biggest supplier of oil to theUnited States.
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