Next year in Johannesburg, a World Summit on Sustainable Development will assess the progress made since the Earth Summit almost one decade ago. Since then, public awareness has grown, several important treaties have been adopted and citizens' groups have kept a spotlight on the issues. But in key respects, we have gone on with business as usual. All world leaders must show they take these issues seriously. But it is the leaders of the industrialized world who must show the way, especially on the question of global warming.
Developed countries are responsible for most of the world's current greenhouse gas emissions.
Already, China and other developing countries are limiting the growth in their emissions through market reforms and by closing down inefficient coal-burning operations. Over time, the legal framework provided by the Convention and Protocol will have to evolve. The battle against global warming is one that will have to be waged for generations. And let us not see this as only a burden, for it is also an exceptional economic and social opportunity. With the right mix of policies and practices, we could generate a positive ripple effect across many realms of human need.