Tutu: Flights killing the poor
2008-07-19 11:01
London - Businessmen who take flights
rather than use video conferencing are adding to global warming
that is condemning millions of the world's poorest people to
death, according to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
The former Archbishop said developed
countries had caused global warming and must therefore take the
lead in slashing emissions of climate changing carbon gases.
"It is the countries which are the least responsible for
causing climate change that are paying the heaviest price," he
said in a video message to a meeting of the World Development
Movement lobby group on Thursday night.
"Do not fly in the face of the poor by allowing the
emissions produced by endless and unnecessary business flights
to keep growing."
Scientists say average global temperatures will rise by
between 1.8 and 4.0 degrees Celsius this century due to burning
fossil fuels for power and transport. They note that emissions
at altitude are many times worse than at ground level.
These rising temperatures will cause droughts, floods, crop
failures and water shortages, putting millions of lives at risk.
Climate change 'is for real'
Tutu, a Nobel Peace laureate and tireless campaigner for
global justice and equality, said scientists predicted that up
to 185 million Africans would die this century as a direct
result of climate change.
"Climate change is for real. As I speak, famine is
increasing, flooding is increasing, as is disease and insecurity
globally because of water scarcity," he said.
"As an African I urgently call on ordinary people in rich
countries to act as global citizens, not as isolated consumers.
We must listen to our consciences, and not to governments who
speak only about economic markets.
"These markets will cease to exist if climate change is
allowed to develop to climate chaos," he added.
Call for more laws
Tutu said the developed nations must pass laws forcing them
to cut their carbon emissions by at least 80%.
"In South Africa we confirmed that if we act on the side of
justice we have the power to turn tides," Tutu said.
"I urge you ... to work together with campaigners in the
global South and call for strong climate change laws in your own
countries in the North, as well as internationally."
The Group of Eight rich nations agreed last week - against
strong resistance from the United States - that global
emissions should be cut by 50% by 2050 but they did
little else.
British economist Nicholas Stern, whose seminal report in
2006 spelled out the global costs of climate change and
galvanised the international agenda, said recently the developed
world had to cut emissions by 80% by mid-century.
He said the current world annual average was seven tonnes of
carbon per head - ranging from 20 tonnes in the United States
to half that in South Africa and almost zero in Chad - and that
had to be cut to an average of just two tonnes per head.