Chiang Mai, Thailand - Former US president Jimmy Carter said Monday the world needs the US to step up and make a firm commitment to reduce greenhouse gases as an example at the upcoming world climate summit in Copenhagen next month. Speaking in northern Thailand where he and his wife Roselyn are building low-cost homes with the Habitat for Humanity project, Carter said America needs to lead, but instead is lagging behind.
In Copenhagen, world leaders are expected agree on a follow-up to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
"We will arrive in Copenhagen not as a champion of global environmental quality, but as a laggard not having passed legislation that would equal the commitments of the European countries," he said while taking a break from home building.
Carter, whose presidency from 1977 to 1980 predated knowledge about climate change, was ahead of his times on environmental issues. He put solar hot water panels on the roof of the White House and set a target of 20 per cent of all US energy needs to come from solar, wind and other renewables, he said.
"We could have done it, there is no question in my mind ... If my policies had been continued we would not have the energy crisis we do now," he said.
But Carter lost his bid for re-election to Ronald Reagan, who abandoned his renewable energy targets and now US recalcitrance on climate issues sets a bad example and makes it easy for countries like China and India to move slowly on cutting emissions, Carter believes.
"My firm belief is that if the United States did set a very high goal, for itself, in reducing the production of carbon in the air, that very quickly the Chinese and Indians would have to comply," he said.
He said strong laws are needed but, "I don't see any indication at this point ... that the US Congress will pass any real legislation to cap the production" of greenhouse gases.
In Chiang Mai, the Carters are among more than 2,000 volunteers from 25 countries taking a week to construct 82 homes in a rural community in Thailand's north.
"I think to a build home side by side with a family that's in need is just as gratifying for me as bringing peace to Egypt and Israel," he said.
