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Pressure mounts on bush as russia ratifies climate treaty
5 November 2004
President Bush became further isolated on the issue of global climate change today following Russian ratification of the Kyoto protocol.
Under the treaty industrialised nations responsible for 55 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions must ratify the protocol before it can come into effect. Now that Russia has ratified the treaty this key threshold has been reached. The treaty should now become legally binding within 90 days of Russia notifying the UN.
The Kyoto protocol is only the first step towards tackling climate change. Much bigger cuts in greenhouse gases will be required in the years ahead.
President Bush has refused to ratify the treaty claiming, it would harm the US economy. The USA is the world's biggest polluter - despite having around only four per cent of the global population it is responsible for around 25 per cent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions.
Friends of the Earth director, Tony Juniper, said:
"Despite the best efforts of the USA and some of its major corporations, the Kyoto Protocol lives. This is an historic moment for life on Earth and must pave the way for new agreements to reduce climate changing emissions. But intense international pressure must also be placed on President Bush and the United States to finally acknowledge the scale of the threat we now face and to take action to deal with it.
"The USA is the world's biggest polluter and has a moral responsibility to reduce the pollution that is rapidly warming up the world. If it does not, its own economy and society will pay a heavy price."
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
