US - hubristic, arrogant, David Steven

David Steven — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:36:39 +0000

The Europeans don't like the message they're getting from the Americans that the IPCC goal of a 25-40% target is based on insufficient evidence to be a useful guide.

"We don't need new studies and research," the German Environment Minister, Sigmar Gabriel. "If we ask the scientists, they're just going to tell us the same thing. We have to reduce 25-40% in developed countries if we want to be on target for 2050.

"It's not a question of known science. It's a question of mathematics. These questions of mathematics are clear since the Egyptians taught us to count."

Speaking off the record, a member of the EU delegation agreed.

Quote:

The IPCC has told us a great deal over the last year about how we should set the level of ambition.

There is an amazing degree of solidity which has built up in the basic science. Of course, there are uncertainties, but they are second and third order uncertainties.

The IPCC tells us to achieve 25-40% cuts in developed countries and turn the emissions curve around in fifteen years. There's a lot of robust science behind that.

The American position was hubristic, if not arrogant, the delegate concluded, and based on the view that one could ‘negotiate' the level at which dangerous climate change will kick in.

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US - hubristic, arrogant, David Steven