Seoul - Former US President Bill Clinton on Tuesday called for action to protect the climate, at a conference of representatives of the world's large cities and scientists in Seoul. "You do not have the luxury of just debating what we are going to do and how much money we are going to spend on it," Clinton said on the first day of the meeting attended by delegates from some 80 cities including London, New York and Tokyo.
Climate change was happening at an increasing pace, and there was a need to cut harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent until 2050, said the former president, whose foundation has pledged to cooperate with cities on this issue.
"It is absolutely certain, if we let the worst happen," Clinton said, "then the consequences will be so severe that we won't be able to save the planet for our grandchildren unless we are willing to undertake enormously expensive projects which can now be avoided."
According to the conference organizers, cities play a central role in global warming and climate change. Urban communities cover only 2 per cent of the Earth's surface, but consume around three quarters of global energy and cause 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.
Until Wednesday, participants are discussing joint strategies that should also have a positive economic impact.
"Indeed, cities should be at the forefront in our fight against climate change," South Korea's Prime Minister Han Seung Soo said.
