Brussels, 27/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - The day after US President Barack Obama's statement that America was ready to take the lead in combating climate change, European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, in an open letter to the president of the USA, speaks of the great hope raised by this turnaround in US policy. The letter, published on the commissioner's blog on 26 January, is also an invitation to follow the EU lead in its level of commitment so that an ambitious global agreement can be reached in Copenhagen in December 2009.
“There can be no greater challenge for any political leader than rolling back the spectre of a warming planet. The commitment of your administration to this issue is a source of great encouragement,” says Dimas, pointing out that the EU had shown itself to be “a global leader” by giving its commitment, in March 2007, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, no matter the outcome of the global negotiations. He added: “If other major players follow this lead then we will cut our own emissions by a further 10%. The world is looking to America to show a similar level of ambition. … But Europe is only a small part of the problem and our emissions are some 14% of the global total. We will only be successful if others are encouraged to follow the low carbon route and it is clear that no global solution will be possible without the full and active support of the US. This is not only because the US accounts for 22% of global emissions. But most importantly it is because many other countries, including countries like China, cannot see why they should decarbonise their own economies if the world's richest economy does not also make firm commitments. If Europe's efforts are to make a real difference then we need America to join us shoulder to shoulder in the battle against climate change. I am convinced that many of the new ideas that will move us away from our carbon addiction will come from America. What is more, your country has the proven ability to translate research into results”. (A.N./transl.rt)