Leading International Climate Scientists Call on World Leaders for Global Emissions...

Leading International Climate Scientists Call on World Leaders for Global
Emissions Peak by 2020
Action by scientists underscores urgency of national progress and global
negotiations

L'AQUILA, Italy, July 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A group of the world's top
climate scientists today called on the leaders of the world's major economies
to adopt strong measures to address climate change, including a peak in global
emissions before 2020.

In a letter addressed to Ministers and Heads of State attending this week's G8
summit and Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in Italy, the climate
scientists, including several senior government climate science advisors, make
specific requests for policy action and warn that failure to reduce emissions
presents "unacceptable risks."

The scientists are calling for action from world leaders whose nations
represent around 70 percent of global carbon abatement potential. Among other
specific requests, the scientists underscore the importance of committing to a
global emissions peak by 2020 and beginning significant reductions in harmful
greenhouse gases well before 2020.

"This is a very important moment in the run up to the climate negotiations in
Copenhagen in December, aimed at achieving a global agreement," said Michael
Oppenheimer, Professor of Geosciences and International Affairs at Princeton
University, one of the signatories of an open letter to Major Economy leaders
published today.

"Scientists worldwide are calling on the leaders of the major economies to
send a signal to the rest of the world that those countries with the highest
emissions, those that are also in the best position to make the greatest
contributions to reducing the risk, are ready to combat the threat posed by
climate change. These countries should make clear that they are prepared to
seize the opportunity to promote low-carbon economic growth and prosperity at
home and abroad."

The letter makes five specific requests of major economy leaders. The requests
lay out precise targets for emissions reductions, and call for commitments and
actions by both developed and developing countries. The letter emphasizes the
importance of recognizing the developed world's responsibility for historic
emissions, and calls for financial support for developing nations to undertake
needed actions.

According to the signatories, the outcome of the Major Economies Forum meeting
on July 9 should be judged on these five points.

The text of the letter can be read here.

SOURCE European Climate Foundation

In Europe: Tom Brookes of European Climate Foundation, Telephone: +32 2 894
9310, Mobile: +32 476 777 779, tom.brookes@europeanclimate.org; In the United
States: Carolyn Roche, Telephone: +1-202-585-2152, Mobile: +1-703-517-2770,
croche@webershandwick.com, for European Climate Foundation