The B-Team

Tony Blair to lead international climate team

Posted at 7:06 AM on 14 Mar 2008

Photo: Monika Flueckiger / World Economic Forum

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he's heading up a new international climate team with the goal of securing a meaningful agreement on climate change in the next two years. Blair said he thought he could get the major emitting countries of the world, including the United States and China, to agree to a plan to cut carbon emissions 50 percent by 2050. "The fact of the matter is that if we do not take substantial action over the next two years, by 2020 we will be thinking seriously about adaptation rather than prevention," he said. Blair will formally announce the initiative in Japan at a climate meeting of the world's 20 biggest polluters this weekend. By summer 2009, the Blair team will release a report on major countries' continuing differences on climate change, followed up by a Stern-like report demonstrating that tackling climate change needn't be economically frightening. "The one thing I am absolutely sure of is that we are not going to get the action necessary by telling people not to consume," Blair said.

sources: The Guardian, The Guardian, The Times, Agence France-Presse

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Comments: (11 comments)

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Spring Fling 2020!

we will be thinking seriously about adaptation rather than prevention

Finally. A realist.

Global Warming will happen no matter what we do.

Even AGWers admit that.

So most of the effort should be towards what biology does best: adapt!

I'm looking forward to halter tops being business dress all year round.

by jabailo at 9:20 AM on 14 Mar 2008

We are SO screwed.

This is like putting Eliot Spitzer in charge of your girls football team. Sure they dress a lot nicer and drive better cars but do you really want to know why?

It's lipstick on a pig all around.

Put the Carbon Back

by Pangolin at 10:47 AM on 14 Mar 2008

Why not ?

I am tempted to say that ecology concerns are above politicians intellect, but, if they can use their "skills" to bring the Chineese and Americans to consider global warming problems, why not ?

When we look twice to things in the nature, they may certainly reveal their aura.

by Lihidheb mohsen at 1:21 PM on 14 Mar 2008

more trees, no bush please!

Well, as long as Bush does not get involved and take the money for his friends, I am okay with Tony, my old Pre. to do something! - Anything! But my fav. is still Ken Livingstone! Major of London, he has made good green decisions!

I only have this one life, so I am going to try my very best to make a positive change. --- The Happy & Healthy Vegan ---

by javaearth at 8:25 PM on 14 Mar 2008

Blair

I wonder how much the illegal Iraq war increased global warming?

I see that he has failed as a Middle East Peace Envoy so he's trying something a bit easier - solving global warming.

You can't be all things to all men Tony.

by Blueplanet at 6:50 AM on 15 Mar 2008

Blair and Africa

I don't like Blair. But maybe he will address Africa and climate change challenge that I mentioned in my blog? http://angryafrican.wordpress.com/2008/03/02/solving-the- ...
But not sure he will. His Commission for Africa never really got going either.

by Angry African at 11:48 AM on 15 Mar 2008

Once a liar?

I see that Tony Blair has got himself a new paycheck. I wonder which one of his corporate buddies is picking up the tab in payment for services rendered. How creditable is a liar whose best buddy is George Bush. You can bet that nothing will be done if Tony has any say.

Remember the best use of your money is not to donate to politicians. Instead donate the same amount to your favorite environmental group. Those millions in their hand can really get results.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. -- Mahatma Gandhi

by sycamore at 6:47 PM on 15 Mar 2008

Lipstick On A Pig Is Right

Crap like this is exactly what I expect from a dishonest war criminal like Tony Blair:

"The one thing I am absolutely sure of is that we are not going to get the action necessary by telling people not to consume."

That's the same as saying, humans are all pigs and there's no chance of anything good happening ecologically until they're off the planet. The two root causes of ALL environmental and ecological problems are overconsumption and overpopulation. Without solving these problems, all else is nothing but rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Specifically, global warming will only be solved, to the extent it now can be, by greatly reducing human consumption, because all fuels burned emit CO2 and all transportation, light, heat, and manufacturing processes burn large amounts of fuel. We could of course do a lot by requiring solar panels on every roof and wind generators in every yard and parking lot, but great reductions in consumption are still needed if global climate change is going to be adequately addressed.

by Wolverine at 11:17 AM on 16 Mar 2008

Quantity reduction

"great reductions in consumption are still needed"

But that can be done in such a way as to actually increase quality of life. Conservation alone can reduce energy consumption by 80%. Then organic agriculture could even reverse GHG levels within 20 years.

There is a slim chance it will happen, but it's free to join the bandwagon. To get these odds anywhere else it costs you a buck. For a lottery ticket.

Getting human population expansion to stop and even reverse? That's way out there, with believing in political change. Dangerous idealism.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

by amazingdrx at 11:41 AM on 16 Mar 2008

Good choice Mr Blair

The Israeli Palestinian conflict can and will wait for 2 years but climate will not

by Eyal Morag at 9:17 AM on 17 Mar 2008

I'm Tony, look at me, look at me!

I'm Tony, look at me, look at me!

Firstly, I did that wonderful job as president for the UK, phew resigned just in time..
then I became Middle East envoy, solved that didn't I? (sorry Iraq)

Now I am to become the Eco Green God.
Sorry won't be around in 2050, but Hey I got to travel round the world some more.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/jan/09/theairline ...

L00K AT ME, L00K AT ME I'm Tony Bliar!!!

by sayno2gm at 5:47 AM on 18 Mar 2008

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