Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is urging the world’s wealthier nations to “alter their unsustainable lifestyles” and help developing nations offset the effects of global warming. Speaking at a conference in
Beijing, Wen said greenhouse gas-cutting technology is needed to limit the global impacts of climate change, such as droughts and rising sea levels. And, he said, the world’s rich nations, with carbon dioxide emissions that historically have been highest, should help provide the necessary new technology, regardless of economic conditions. “As the global financial crisis spreads and worsens, and the world economy slows down apparently, the international community must not waver in its determination to tackle climate change,” Wen said. Chinese officials have said rich nations should spend as much as 1 percent of their economic wealth — or about $284 billion annually — to help deal with the global effects of climate change.
Wen Jiabao