Young friends of the earth embassy plea

REPRESENTATIVES of Young Friends of the Earth Cyprus yesterday visited the embassies of China, Australia and the USA in Nicosia to present letters urging these countries to take positive action on climate change.

The visit was part of an international campaign whereby young people are lobbying embassies across the world in view of the upcoming Copenhagen Summit that will replace the Kyoto Agreement in Climate Change.

“In the coming September in Copenhagen the final negotiations will take place to replace the Kyoto Protocol and young people around the world are worried that the agreement will not be fair or based on the latest scientific information, and therefore the measures adopted will not stop the catastrophic consequences of the expanding climate change. This will result in the undervaluing of the quality of life of young people, the undermining of their future and the destruction of our natural heritage,” said Savvas Zotos, Youth Coordinator, Friends of the Earth Cyprus.

The campaign aims to break a deadlock in current negotiations regarding the 2020 mitigation targets. “To break this deadlock requires one nation to step up, take a leadership role, and commit to what science requires: atmospheric stabilization below 350ppm carbon equivalents, and a 45-per-cent cut on 1990 levels by 2020,” Zotos added.

The embassy letters targeted each of the three countries individually, referring to their domestic situations and role in international affairs. “We write to convey our appreciation to the USA for returning to the global climate negotiations after the dark years of the Bush administration. We’re very glad that you’re back. Under President Obama, we need you not just to continue your positive engagement, but to take a big jump and lead,” read the letter presented to the US Ambassador in Cyprus..

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