Speech by President of the French Republic on climate change.

Speech by Mr Jacques CHIRAC, President of the French Republic, on climate change.

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G8 Saint Petersbourg - 1st plenary session – Sunday 16 July, 10.00 a.m.

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We cannot discuss energy security without talking about climate change. Humanity is sitting on a powder keg.

The forecasts speak volumes: at the current rate, global energy consumption will rise 50% between now and 2030; coal, oil and gas will account for 80% of this increase.

The scientists are unanimous: global warming is accelerating and is on the brink of a point of no return.

Alarm bells are sounding all over our planet: the 2003 heat wave in Europe with its tens of thousands of deaths; the increase in the frequency and ferocity of the hurricanes in the North Atlantic; the fast-melting ice caps, which are already seriously disrupting the ecosystems and lives of the populations in the Arctic; the increase in the number of sudden floods and droughts in Africa, India and China; and rising sea levels, which are starting to endanger the Pacific islands and will affect our coasts tomorrow, as in Florida and Louisiana.

These phenomena are harbingers of greater disasters to come, which will create millions of climate refugees.

It is our duty to take action, for the sake of our fellow citizens, humanity and the future generations who risk paying dearly for the wait-and-see attitude of a few.

Action in the form of seriously reducing waste. All of our countries need to set energy efficiency goals by the end of the year.

Action to prepare for the post-oil era, with massive investment in renewable and alternative energies, including clean and safe nuclear energy, and in research on clean technologies such as CO2 capture.

Action in terms of helping the developing countries to create an ecologically responsible growth model underpinned by an ambitious technology transfer policy.

We will not solve this problem simply by means of voluntary or sector-based initiatives. This global challenge calls for a global response.

Kyoto is just the first step. I regret that the United States is not part of this initiative. However, all the other countries must respect their commitments. If we do not have the courage to meet these first, modest goals, how can we hope to rise to the much greater challenge ahead of us?

This challenge calls for constructive discussions on a post-2012 international climate change policy. Our aim should be an ambitious agreement that commits all of us, along with the emerging countries, to targets capable of heading off the threat that hangs over humanity's head.






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