Swedes push for climate change
Sweden wants big greenhouse gas polluters to cut their emissions as it takes over the rotating European Union presidency. But will a new climate deal be a tough sell? Stephen Beard reports.
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, right, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso give a press conference after their first meeting at the Stockholm City Hall on the first day of the six-month Swedish presidency of the European Union. (Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images)
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RENITA JABLONSKI: Sweden claims it has produced a climate change miracle and it wants the U.S. and China to follow suit. The country is calling for deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions as it takes over the rotating EU presidency today. From our European Desk, Stephen Beard reports.
Stephen Beard: As the six-month-long presidency gets underway, the Swedes are already focusing on a major event in the December -- the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change. The Swedes want to persuade the key greenhouse gas polluters -- the U.S. and China -- to sign up to a new climate deal. That need not damage their economies, says Staffan Tillander, Sweden's Climate Change Ambassador.
STAFFAN TILLANDER: In Sweden we've been able to show that it's possible to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases while maintaining high economic growth rates.
Since 1990 the Swedish economy has grown by 50 percent, while the country cut carbon emissions by one-tenth. But the Swedish model won't be an easy sell. It's weaned the economy away from fossil fuels with a very hefty carbon tax, the equivalent of $1.25 on every gallon of gas.
In London this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.
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From Canterbury, NH, 07/02/2009
Americans produce about 20 tons of CO2 per person, each year. Given a population of around 300 million people, this comes to a staggering 6 billion tons of CO2 per year, representing 25% of the world´s total. If carbon were taxed in the following way (just an example) there would be sufficient funds for the transformation to a green economy AND to help sustainable development in southern countries (to an equivalent of 1% GDP by 2015): 2011 $40/ton 2012 $50/ton 2013 $65/ton 2014 $80/ton 2015 $100/ton Even assuming a 10% reduction in CO2 by 2015, this would allow over $500 billion to be redirected towards sustainable, job producing efforts in this country and abroad. Yes, we Can!
From burnaby, BC, 07/01/2009
..one tenth over ten years. That would be good however the truth is with developing nations and the arctic gone by 2013 it would take an enormous cut in green house gases by all countries to save us. We need a drastic not moderate cuts by brave not cowardly and corrupt leaders. I hate to say it but does that sound like earth to anyone? Many say "oh, they will take care of global warming" Well it turns out "they" were only interested in themselves, now it's up to us..something needs to be done.
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