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Re G8 youths ask for 'strict' carbon cap-and-trade system

From CIVICUS UN

FYI: article from the Japan Times today

By KO HIRANO
Kyodo News
KOBE (Kyodo) Fifteen youths from the Group of Eight nations and five emerging economies have urged G8 environment ministers to introduce a "strict international carbon cap-and-trade system" to curb greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming.


Change for tomorrow: Britain's environmental secretary, Hilary Benn, (second from left), meets Saturday in Kobe with young people representing the G8 nations and five emerging economies involved in addressing climate change issues. KYODO PHOTO
In a proposal called "The Kobe Challenge," the youths asked the ministers to "integrate climate change into all education systems" while calling for increased aid to developing countries to fight global warming.

The youths, representing 39 International Climate Champions selected by the British Council and local partners, met the ministers Saturday evening on the sidelines of three days of G8 environment ministerial talks through Monday in Kobe.

Chinese representative Ding Yinghan, a 10th grader at Beijing's No. 8 High School, said both developed and developing countries must bear responsibility for fighting climate change, citing the latter's surging emissions in sync with their rapid growth.

"I wish we would not blame a single country for climate change," said Ding, who represents about 30 schools taking part in the "Climate Cool Program" in Beijing. "That's something that the whole world has the responsibility for and the whole world should take positive action to tackle it."

Japanese representative Yo Kanno, a third-year student at Izumigaoka High School in Kanazawa, urged governments to increase spending in education on climate change to sharply increase public awareness.

Using moving images, Kanno said Kanazawa has seen less snow in recent years. He cited data showing average temperatures in the city have risen about 1.5 degrees over the last 50 years.

"We don't think it is constructive to pick on certain countries for their particular policies and blame at each other," Kanno said after being asked about criticism that Japan has been reluctant to employ the cap-and-trade system. "We'd rather want to think (about climate change) in the world as a whole and take action together."

The cap-and-trade system sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions by companies and other entities, and allows them to trade carbon credits in an effort to put prices on carbon.

"Here we're trying not focus on what we are and are not doing," said U.S. delegate Rebecca Chan, a senior at La Costa Canyon High School in California. "We're just trying to set goals and say that this is what we think internationally and we should be doing as global citizens to fight climate change."

But Chan, who said she wants to be an environmental lawyer, expressed hope that the Bush administration will take a leading role in tackling global warming.

SUMMIT ROUNDUP

G8 Toyako Hokkaido Summit
The climate champions — three each from the G8 countries plus Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa — held a preparatory meeting in London in March and a second gathering in Kobe last week to prepare for Saturday's hand-out of the proposal to the G8 environment ministers.

It was the first time the British Council, a government agency that promotes British culture around the world, has carried out the International Climate Champion project, taking over Britain's Climate Change Champion initiative launched in 2005.

"I respect your dreams and passion for the future," Environment Minister Ichiro Kamoshita said, receiving the proposal. "Let us all work together to address climate change."

Before meeting the G8 environment chiefs, the climate champions held separate talks with British Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Hilary Benn.

The Japan Times: Monday, May 26, 2008
(C) All rights reserved
Go back to The Japan Times Online Close window




May 26, 2008 | 12:37 PM Comments  0 comments

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