We have discussed the tremendous leadership of the Maldives in the fight against climate change on numerous occassions, but this latest bit of news likely ought to make the US and other developed countries blush…
In advance of the January 31 deadline to submit mitigation targets under the new Copenhagen Accord, the Maldives has reinforced their goal of becoming carbon neutral in the next decade, declaring that they will reduce CO2 emissions 100% by 2020. This comes days after the US submitted their plans to cut emissions just 17% below 2005 levels (3% below 1990 levels) and the Europeans continue to stick with their 20% by 2020 target. These targets are not new, but as the internatioanl community continues to find it’s feet again after the confusion of Copenhagen these submissions are a reminder of where the real leadership rest.
“Climate change threatens us all. If we don’t act now, we will lose the rainforests, lose the coral reefs and, potentially, lose human civilization itself,” said President Mohamed Nasheed.
“The world is wasting billions of dollars per year on dirty fossil fuels; money that could be saved by switching to clean energy. New technologies allow us to both develop and maintain a healthy environment. It is time mankind moves into the Green Age,” the President added.
In a world eager for leadership to transition to a stronger, cleaner economy world leaders might want to take some notes from the leadership of this small island nation.