Chirac warns G8 of volcano
French President Jacques Chirac pointed out that the world is dancing on a volcano.
French President Jacques Chirac issued a stark warning to his G8 partners, saying “humanity is dancing on a volcano” and urging them to live up to commitments to combat global warming.
“We cannot discuss energy security while standing still on climate change,” Chirac told the leaders of Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and Russia at their summit in Saint Petersburg.Chirac described the Kyoto Protocol, which took effect in February last year, as “only a first step”.
“I regret that the United States is not taking part. But all the others must stick to their commitments.”
US President George W. Bush rejected the draft Kyoto treaty in 2001 on grounds that its binding commitments on reducing carbon dioxide emissions would be too costly for the US economy.
Chirac’s remarks were seen as targeting Canada, where the new conservative government has shown itself to be skeptical toward the Kyoto Protocol.
Kyoto signatories have committed themselves to limiting their earth-warming greenhouse gas emissions, which are the byproducts of burning oil, gas and coal, by 5.2 percent from 1990 levels by 2012.
Chirac on Sunday called for “constructive talks” on the situation after 2012.
“Our goal must be an ambitious accord that commits us all, along with emerging market countries, to objectives equal to the threat that is weighing on humanity,”
he said.
The G8 leaders issued a statement Sunday affirming their willingness “to work to reduce greenhouse gas and deal effectively with the challenge of climate change.”
“Those of us committed to making the Kyoto Protocol a success underline the importance we attach to it … and look forward to the process to develop it further,”
they said.
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