Tony Blair on Climate Change Deal: Why Now?

http://www.eco-rescue.info To reach a global climate agreement, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair says if there's a will, there's a way. And it helps even more if you can show the way. See below for Blair's verbatim answer. http://www.eco-rescue.com LOS ANGELES, California, October 2, 2009 (ENS) - At Governor Schwarzenegger's Global Climate Summit, 30 governors, premiers, mayors and senior officials from around the world and the United Nations declared that workable solutions to global warming exist and they want a strong climate deal to emerge from negotiations in Copenhagen this December.

Governor Schwarzenegger, who convened this second annual summit of subnational leaders, said, "Addressing the problems caused by climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our time."

"We have deepened our partnerships and renewed our commitment to work collaboratively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a cleaner planet and stronger economy for the next generation. In signing this declaration we are sending a powerful message to the national leaders negotiating the next global climate agreement that we are ready for action," said Schwarzenegger. "The time to act is now."
The participants agreed to work together to pursue clean transportation and mobility, support national climate change legislation, include forests in climate policy development, acknowledge the need for adaptation efforts, and recognize the role of subnational governments in the discussions on the next global climate agreement.
In December 2009, world leaders are expected to meet in Copenhagen and agree on a treaty to limit greenhouse gases that will take over when the Kyoto Protocol expires at the end of 2102.

Tony Blair: "it is absolutely true that if there is a will there's a way. But it's also true in politics that if you can show people the way, it's a lot easier to have the will. I think the most important thing with this international negotiation is get it practical. Get down to specific programs and specific actions that countries are going to take you don't fixed on him this percentage, in this way, because the single most important thing in the negotiations that will take place in the next couple of months is that you get a practical solution. This is no longer a campaign. It's got to be a policy for change."

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