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| Climate activists demand Obama: Earn your Nobel, Pay America's Climate Debt |
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| Written by Ms. Theresa Lauron | |||
| Friday, 11 December 2009 17:59 | |||
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"We find it ironic that President Obama received a Nobel for his efforts on multilateral diplomacy and climate action, while not very far South, America is deep at war in three countries, and right here in Copenhagen, his climate envoys are blocking progress for a just and strong global climate deal," says Wahu Kaara of the PMCC. The United States comes to Copenhagen with a very low commitment to reduce emissions (4% below 1990 levels by 2020) and no commitment at all for new and additional funding for developing countries' climate actions. The US still refuses to be part of the Kyoto Protocol or any internationally binding emissions regime, and is making its commitments for financial resources and stronger emissions reductions contingent upon developing countries making similar commitments. The US' position was summed up by Todd Sterns, Obama's climate change envoy and chief negotiator, when he told reporters Wednesday that "[America] absolutely [recognizes its] historic role in putting emissions in the atmosphere, but the sense of guilt or culpability or reparations, I just categorically reject that." "America's diplomatic behavior has not changed at all," Kaara notes. "It is using its power to make the climate deal as favorable to its interests as possible, the way it did to the Kyoto Protocol and other international environmental and economic agreements. Everyone realizes a deal isn't possible without the US on board, and the American delegation is using this clout to leverage their unjust positions and force concessions from poor countries." "Mr. Obama, please earn your Nobel," says Don Marut of PMCC. "Match your ideals with concrete actions. Cooperate with poor countries and put your weight behind a just and strong climate deal. Face up to America's responsibility for causing climate change and pay your country's climate debt." "We demand the Obama Administration to submit the United States to a multilateral legally-binding emissions reductions regime along with all developed countries. The US must significantly increase its emissions reductions target to help bring down developed countries' aggregate emissions to at least 45% below 1990 levels by 2050." "America should also provide the largest share of the funds needed to support climate actions in developing countries. The American government has spent nearly $1 trillion in public money for its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We call on Mr. Obama to end America's wars, and rechannel their war funds to supporting developing countries mitigate their emissions and adapt to climate change instead." Contact Persons: Ms. Maria Theresa Lauron +63.918.902.8320 +45 52 69 78 32 Ms. Maitet Ledesma +31.6.14659558 Like it? Share it!
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