06.07.2007
European Greens say that Live Earth Concerts must
be followed by real action on climate change by world’s political leaders
The spokespersons of the European Green Party today
said that the Live Earth Concerts scheduled to take place in several major cities
worldwide on Saturday 7th July should send a message to governments that
they must take the action necessary to curb the disastrous effects of climate
change.
EGP Co-Spokesperson Ulrike
Lunacek said: “The Live Earth concerts
organised by Al Gore and Kevin Wall are an important way of raising public
awareness of climate change and encouraging governments, corporations and individuals
to take action to minimise the effects of global warming. We are sure that
these events will get an enthusiastic response from audiences worldwide (the
concerts will be broadcast live to a worldwide audience estimated to be 2
billion) and we hope that those individuals will make changes to their
lifestyles which will reduce their CO2 emissions. However, if these concerts
are really to make a significant impact on the problem of climate change, then
governments and political leaders worldwide, including in the EU, must deal
with the issue with a much greater sense of urgency than they have done up to
now .”
EGP Co-Spokesperson Philippe
Lamberts went on to outline the measures which
politicians have to take if they are serious about tackling the issue of
climate change: “All credible scientific analysis shows that a 30 %
reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020 is necessary if the most disastrous effects
of climate change are to be avoided. The recent G8 summit in Heiligendamm
failed to commit to binding targets for even a 20 % reduction. This shows that
our political leaders are shirking their responsibility to take meaningful action
on climate change. In contrast, we in the EGP have a detailed and practical
strategy to combat climate change which was approved at our last Council
Meeting in
Both Spokespersons concluded:” The Live Earth
concerts will show once again that the people of the world recognise the
seriousness of the threat posed by climate change. Politicians must respond to
this call to action and implement the measures which will make a real
difference, such as those advocated by the European Greens.” Lunacek and Lamberts concluded.
Graham Burgess
Communications Officer
European Green Party
email:
Tel no: +32 2 626 0724
Mobile no: +32 477 902 023