Tom Happold and agencies
Tuesday September 14, 2004
Tony Blair warned today that time was "running out" to avert the human and economic catastrophe of unchecked climate change.
Speaking at a round-table discussion about the environment, ahead of a speech on the subject this evening, the prime minister described global warming as a "huge issue" which needed renewed political will if it was to be tackled.
Mr Blair is tonight expected to call for a "green industrial revolution" and promise to use Britain's presidency of the G8 group of leading industrial nations next year to push for greater international cooperation to tackle climate change.
But Mr Blair will not confirm whether the UK government will expand the use of nuclear power, which many scientists believe is essential to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Questioned about the issue on BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat programme, he said: "I think there are still major problems [with nuclear power] ... we have to handle the issues to do with storage and waste."
"We're not shutting the door on anything but you have to take account of those realities," he added. "And in the meantime there are other technologies that we could be using that would make a significant difference to climate change."
Mr Blair's speech comes after he was criticised yesterday by the Conservative leader, Michael Howard, for his failure to persuade the US to sign up to the Kyoto protocol, which was designed to reduce greenhouse gases emissions.
Mr Howard also side-stepped the nuclear issue yesterday; excluding it from his speech, and replying when challenged about it afterwards that it was a matter for a Conservative government to decide once in office.
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Scientists are increasingly pushing for the government to give the go ahead for an expansion in nuclear energy, as the only means for Britain to meet its Kyoto target to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
A report in today's Times claims that the director of strategic development at the Department of Trade and Industry's energy unit, Adrian Gault, has told ministers that nuclear power will have to provide half of Britain's electricity needs if it is to do so.
Currently, nuclear power provides only a fifth of Britain's electricity, but the nation's nuclear power plants are ageing and will be closed down progressively from 2008.
Earlier today, Mr Blair's official spokesman played down the DTI advice, describing it as only an option paper, which has not been seen by ministers.
Speaking at the round-table discussion, Mr Blair was pessimistic about the prospects of the US government changing its position.
"Let's be absolutely blunt about it: I do not think the US Senate is going to vote for ratification of Kyoto. It would be nice if they did, but I can't see it.
"We have to do two things at the G8 - the first is an explicit acceptance of the science by all the governments there. That has not really happened up until now for a very obvious reason, because the next question is: 'Well, what are you going to do about it?'
"The next thing we need is an agreement on the process to take this forward. That will require an examination of the science and technologies... step by step so that certain measures are taken."
This evening, Mr Blair is also expected to focus on the environmental impact of the expanding airline sector, saying that he wants to use Britain's presidency of the EU next year to press for the aviation industry to be brought within the EU's emissions trading scheme.
And he will say that it is his ambition to use Britain's G8 presidency to "build a scientific and policy consensus among governments around which vigorous global action can be taken".
The prime minister plans to host a conference on climate change at the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research in February in advance of the G8 summit at Gleneagles in Scotland.
He will also add that Britain can lead the world in developing renewal energies, such a wave and tidal power, bio-energy and hydrogen fuel cells.
"We need a green industrial revolution for the 21st century that sustains growth but protects the environment," he is expected to say.
Liberal Christians
Also sometimes referred to as secular, modern, or humanistic. This is an umbrella term for Protestant denominations, or churches within denominations, that view the Bible as the witness of God rather than the word of God, to be interpreted in its historical context through critical analysis. Examples include some churches within Anglican/Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ. There are more than 2,000 Protestant denominations offering a wide range of beliefs from extremely liberal to mainline to ultra-conservative and those that include characteristics on both ends.
| • | Belief in Deity Trinity of the Father (God), the Son (Christ), and the Holy Spirit that comprises one God Almighty. Many believe God is incorporeal. |
| • | Incarnations Beliefs vary from the literal to the symbolic belief in Jesus Christ as God's incarnation. Some believe we are all sons and daughters of God and that Christ was exemplary, but not God. |
| • | Origin of Universe and Life The Bible's account is symbolic. God created and controls the processes that account for the universe and life (e.g. evolution), as continually revealed by modern science. |
| • | After Death Goodness will somehow be rewarded and evil punished after death, but what is most important is how you show your faith and conduct your life on earth. |
| • | Why Evil? Most do not believe that humanity inherited original sin from Adam and Eve or that Satan actually exists. Most believe that God is good and made people inherently good, but also with free will and imperfect nature, which leads some to immoral behavior. |
| • | Salvation Various beliefs: Some believe all will go to heaven, as God is loving and forgiving. Others believe salvation lies in doing good works and no harm to others, regardless of faith. Some believe baptism is important. Some believe the concept of salvation after death is symbolic or nonexistent. |
| • | Undeserved Suffering Most Liberal Christians do not believe that Satan causes suffering. Some believe suffering is part of God's plan, will, or design, even if we don't immediately understand it. Some don't believe in any spiritual reasons for suffering, and most take a humanistic approach to helping those in need. |
| • | Contemporary Issues Most churches teach that abortion is morally wrong, but many ultimately support a woman's right to choose, usually accompanied by policies to provide counseling on alternatives. Many are accepting of homosexuality and gay rights. |
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
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