Former US president Bill Clinton yesterday urged leaders of the world’s cities, which produce more than two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions, to act swiftly to save the planet for their grandchildren.
Executives from the 40 largest cities plus 17 other municipalities are attending the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in Seoul — the third such event since 2005.
The world can fight global warming in a way that makes sense economically, and the battle can even help countries overcome the ongoing economic crisis, Clinton said.
It’s possible today for economies to grow without emitting greenhouse gases, and the world must act now to cut emissions before it is too late, he said.
“We know that if we don’t reduce greenhouse gases by somewhere in the range of 80 percent by 2050, bad things are going to happen,” Clinton said in a keynote speech.
Global warming could lead to a drop in food production and access to water, creating new dangers to public health, Clinton said.
“It is absolutely certain if we let the worst happen, then the consequences will be so severe that we won’t be able to save the planet for our grandchildren,” Clinton said.
Mayors and municipal leaders will be discussing retrofitting buildings, energy-efficient lighting, building infrastructure for green vehicles and renewable energy technology.
Environmentally friendly products, including electric cars and motorcycles, are on display at a separate expo.
Clinton acknowledged the reluctance in some cities to spend the money needed to go green at a time of economic hardship.
He said many still harbor the outdated notion that pollution is a necessary byproduct of industry, and that “a nation could not become rich, maintain a standard of living and improve it without putting more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.”
“That is simply not true today,” he said.
Making the investment to reduce greenhouses gases may even help countries mired in the economic crisis by creating jobs, Clinton said.
He also said a variety of loan guarantee mechanisms should be developed so companies can take out bank loans for green projects and repay them using their utility savings.
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