Chris Brain ist Präsident von CIDSE, einem internationalen Bündnis von katholischen Entwicklungsagenturen.
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"As more developing countries face extreme weather patterns and competition for land use, the price of food staples is increasingly volatile, pushing people further into extreme poverty and undermining the good development work of the past generation. The European Union has provided ongoing development assistance, and yet European countries are also among the major contributors to climate change. The EU, as a bloc, not only has the political power to bring about action on climate change, it has a moral obligation to do so. As an international alliance of Catholic development agencies with 14 European members, CIDSE has seen the effects of climate change on poor communities first hand, and the human, environmental and economic costs on a global scale are rising exponentially. It is time for the EU to lead the international community on climate action by upping their commitment from 20% to at least a 30% reduction in emissions by 2020. Scientific opinion concludes that anything less than a 40% reduction will not put us on track to prevent catastrophic changes in our climate. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) meeting [next] week will vote on whether to support a stronger cut of 30% below 1990 levels and they must not allow creeping climate skepticism to undermine the opportunities and benefits this shift to a greener economy will bring. 30% will not only be a great stride forward, it will also kick-start Europe's transition to a low-carbon economy - increasing employment and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. It will also boost innovation and green technologies, increase health benefits due to better air quality and ensure a better future for its citizens. While many rich nations lag behind, ignoring the suffering of poor communities already affected by a changing climate, European nations must refuse to walk on the other side of the road. At this week's meeting in Strasbourg we call upon MEPs to step up and vote for deeper emissions cuts."
