Euro MP says that 'Europe must take the lead' as UN climate change convention begins in Argentina (Diana Wallis MEP)

Diana Wallis MEP <info@dianawallismep.org.uk>

Euro MP says that 'Europe must take the lead' as UN climate change convention begins in Argentina

December 6, 2004 12:09 PM

European countries must lead the world, says local Euro MP in advance of United Nations negotiations on climate change in Buenos Aires, against the backdrop of the Kyoto Protocol officially taking effect early next year.

Argentina hosts the UN's annual climate change convention from December 6 to 17, just a month after Russian President Vladimir Putin put his signature to the international treaty on global warming.

Russia's official ratification of the treaty opened the way for it to become legally binding - and for serious work on further steps needed to curb human activities that could be gradually changing Earth's climate system.

Now Diana Wallis MEP, Liberal Democrat Euro MP, has said that European countries must take the lead on this issue.

Ms. Wallis who last week hosted a meeting in the European Parliament on Arctic Climate Impact Assessment said, "Now that Russia has signed up to the Kyoto Protocol it is important that the USA and the emerging economies like China and India too support the protocol's aims."

"European nations have to be tough in Buenos Aires and get a commitment to controlling emissions from the international community."

"The war on climate change has to be a united, global effort."

ends.

Notes:

On 29 November Diana Wallis MEP hosted the presentation to the European Parliament of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment Produced by more than 300 scientists and indigenous people for the Arctic Council, it provides incontrovertible proof that climate change is happening in the Arctic and that it will get worse unless emissions of carbon dioxide are cut. The report also warns that a warmer Arctic will have impacts around the world, contributing to global warming and sea level rise.