http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004453320_blairop03.html?syndication=rss

Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, writes on the importance of the climate-change bill being debated this week by U.S. Senators, and urges the U.S., and nations around the world to take stronger actions to finance climate change.

Radical reduction is unlikely to happen through voluntary action alone. Measures in the bill, through a mandatory cap-and-trade scheme, would reduce emissions 70 percent from 2005 levels by 2050. These cuts would be based on a carbon-market-incentive system that moves with the grain of action around the globe.

Much is happening abroad. Europe has introduced the Emissions Trading System, with over half of emissions now tradable; despite the early teething troubles to be expected from any new policy framework, the system is delivering emissions reductions and sending a clear, market-based signal to companies across the continent. Japan has indicated that it is open to a binding national target. China has already set new energy-intensity targets. India is to unveil its first national climate action plan in the next few weeks.

Tony Blair also suggested that companies and governments around the world who acts early to cut emissions are seeing increase productivity. However, "Without an American commitment, a global deal is impossible," he concluded.

The Seattle Times; June 3, 2008

Submitted by M. Lamarre