home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Time - Man of the Year
/
Time_Man_of_the_Year_Compact_Publishing_3YX-Disc-1_Compact_Publishing_1993.iso
/
moy
/
061592
/
06159910.000
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-09-22
|
2KB
|
47 lines
THE WEEK, Page 21NATIONThe Battle to Save The Planet Begins
Anger at U.S. policy doesn't destroy the optimism at the Earth
Summit
It was a dream of environmentalists finally transformed into
grand reality. After two years of painstaking preparations, the
Earth Summit got under way in Rio de Janeiro with a global guest
list of more than 100 world leaders and 30,000 other people
concerned about the planet, from climatologists to tribal
chieftains. The get-together's size is matched only by its
ambition: to put civilization on a path that will sustain
economic development without destroying the environment that
supports all life. Canadian Maurice Strong, who organized the
United Nations-sponsored meeting, set the tone of urgency: "We
are either going to save the whole world, or none of it."
Most delegates felt that the treaties to be signed were
not strong enough, and they blamed the U.S. In presummit
meetings, American negotiators -- fearful that the proposed
agreements could hurt U.S. economic interests -- insisted that
the treaty to combat climate change be weakened, and the White
House is refusing to sign the pact to protect endangered plants
and animals. But most other nations came ready for action.
India, often a holdout in environmental negotiations, agreed to
the climate-change treaty, and three countries -- Austria,
Switzerland and the Netherlands -- pushed for tougher curbs on
the gases that may cause global warming.
Anger at the U.S. did not overwhelm the feeling of elation
that the summit was taking place. "This event is focusing world
attention back on the environment as the most important issue
of our time," said Russell Mittermeier, president of the
Washington-based Conservation International. Activists see the
summit not as the climax of their crusade but only the
beginning.