G8 Issues Statement on Global Warming

Global warming is damaging the earth more quickly than previously thought and escalating oil prices threaten to speed the growth in greenhouse gas emissions, scientists and activists told environment ministers from industrialized nations last week in Kobe, Japan. The rising price of oil can encourage the use of cheaper coal, a much dirtier fuel.

The ministers, from the Group of Eight countries, gathered in the Japanese city of Kobe for a three-day conference dominated by the struggle with the worsening effects of climate change. Environmentalists urged quick action to curb the effects of the rise in world temperatures, which scientists say threaten to drive species to extinction, worsen floods and droughts, and thwart economic development.

The G8 is made up of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. The Group of Eight environment ministers called Monday in a statement for rich nations to take the lead in a global effort to at least halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.