Obama, G-8 leaders agree on climate target

[NoGOPZone]

Source: Associated Press via Yahoo! News

President Barack Obama joined other leaders of the industrialized world Wednesday in backing new targets for battling global warming. But the wealthy nations were unable to persuade leaders of developing countries to commit to reductions of their own, and their cooperation is critical to avoiding the worst effects of climate change.

White House officials confirmed that Obama agreed to language supporting a goal of keeping the world's average temperature from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

The agreement by the Group of Eight industrialized nations, meeting in Italy, marks a significant step in efforts to limit greenhouse gases blamed for the world's rising temperature. The G-8 previously had not been able to agree on that temperature limit as a political goal.

It remains only a target, however, and it is far from clear that it will be met, especially as China, India and other rapidly industrializing nations generate and consume more energy from coal and other sources.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/g8_summit

[sutz12]

1. Well, gee...at least we can finally start acting like we believe in science again..

It doesn't sound like enough, of course, but it's a start. It's nice to have a Prez that isn't spouting oil company pseudo-science as policy any more.

Now, can he really get anything done? We'll see.

[dipsydoodle]

2. G8 set new global warming targets

Source: BBC News

Leaders of the G8 leading industrial countries have agreed to try to limit global warming to just 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial levels by 2050.

The summit, in the earthquake-hit Italian city of L'Aquila, agreed tough new carbon emissions cuts.

It says developed nations should cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, with the rest of the world making a 50% reduction by the same date.

Analysts say there is no indication of how the targets, or costs, will be met.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8141352.stm

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3 degrees is enough for the south of England to lose all of its bluebells.

[SpartanDem]

3. Very Good, but we definitely need to get China and India on board

to make a difference