We, the human species, we are at a crucial time and we must make a decision. Is unprecedented and is even ridiculous to assume we have to actually make a conscious choice as a species, but nevertheless this is the challenge that we collect. Our planet Earth is in danger. What is likely to be destroyed is not the planet itself, but the conditions that made it able to accommodate humans.
without realizing the consequences of our actions, we have started to place so much carbon dioxide into exile shell of air surrounding our planet we have literally changed the heat balance between Earth and the Sun If do not stop, and quickly, average temperatures will rise to levels never previously known by men, and put an end to the favorable climate balance on which our civilization depends.
Over the past 150 years, we have taken in a frantic acceleration increasing amounts of carbon from the ground - mainly in the form of coal and oil - and we've burned so as to enter the Earth's atmosphere 70 million tonnes of CO2 each 24 hours. The concentrations of CO2 - that in at least a million years had never exceeded 300 parts per million - have grown from the original 280 parts per million of the beginning of the coal boom to 383 shares per million this year.
a result, many scientists are now warning of the fact that we are approaching several "Irreversible tipping points" that could - in the space of just ten years - making it impossible not to cause irreparable harm to the habitability of the planet by human civilization. Yet in recent months, new studies have helped establish that the Arctic ice cap - which helps to cool the planet - is melting at a rate three times higher than they have provided the most pessimistic computer models.
If you do not pass immediately to action, summer ice could disappear altogether in just 35 years. Similarly, near the South Pole, at the opposite end of the planet, scientists have discovered that the West Antarctic snow in an area as large as the California are melting. This is not a political issue but an ethical issue, which concerns the survival of human civilization. It is not about left versus right, but what is right against what is wrong. In other words, it is uncivilized to destroy the habitability of our planet and endangering the prospects for all the generations that come after us.
On 21 September 1987, President Ronald Reagan said: "In our obsession with antagonisms of the quota, we often forget how much unites all the members of the human race. Perhaps, to acknowledge the existence of this common bond, we need a universal and external threat. From time to time think how quickly we characterize the differences would vanish if we were suddenly faced with an alien threat from outside this world. "
Today we, all of us, we face a universal threat. Although not come from the outside, it is nevertheless cosmic scale. Consider the reality of two planets, Earth and Venus, with almost exactly the same size and almost exactly the same amount of carbon. The difference between them is that most of the carbon on Earth is in the ground where they deposited various forms of life over the last 600 million years, while most of the carbon in the atmosphere of Venus. As a result, the temperature on Earth average is 15 degrees Celsius pleasing, while the average temperature on Venus reaches 463.89 degrees Celsius. True, Venus is closer to the Sun than Earth, but the difference is not due to our star. Venus is three times hotter on average than Mercury, which is very close to the Sun's the fault of carbon dioxide. This danger, moreover, requires us - in the words of Reagan - to feel united in taking note of our common fate.
The work of the individual will also have to shape and inspire the actions of governments. In this respect the Americans have a particular responsibility of all: during a good part of all our recent history, the Member America and the American people have assured the moral leadership in the world. He wrote the Bill of Rights, have integrated the democracy in the Constitution, defeating fascism in World War II, toppling Communism and be landed on the moon are all results of American leadership.
Today, once again, we Americans feel united and we must press our government to collect this global challenge. American leadership is a prerequisite for success. To this end, we should demand that the United States join the international treaty within the next two years promises to cut emissions of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming to the extent 90 percent in developed countries and more than half the world, so that the next generation will inherit the planet in good health.
This treaty requires additional effort. I am proud of the role that I held during the Clinton administration negotiated the Kyoto Protocol, but now I think this protocol has been so demonized in the United States can no longer be ratified, as the Carter Administration was not able to obtain the ratification of a treaty for the expanded strategic arms limitation in 1979. Besides, very soon will begin negotiations for a climate treaty much more rigid.
Therefore, as President Reagan renamed and modified the Salt agreement (calling it Start), after belatedly accepted the need, so our next president must immediately work to end very soon a new and more stringent agreement to change the current situation climate. We should aspire to sign this new global treaty by the end of 2009, without waiting for the 2012 as currently planned.
If the beginning of 2009 the United States have already implemented an internal system to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, I have no doubt that when we give industry a goal, the tools and flexibility to reduce significantly emissions of carbon dioxide, then we can complete and ratify the new treaty in a very short time. After all, this is a planetary emergency.
That new treaty will still, of course, different commitments: the countries will be asked to meet different requirements based on their historical share or contribution to the problem and on the basis of their actual and their capacity to bear the burden of change. International law provides that precedent, and moreover that there is another way to proceed.
There will be those who try to distort this pattern and use xenophobic reasons or protection of the interests of the native population at the expense of immigrants to say that every country should respect the same standards, but I really believe that countries that have a fifth of our gross domestic product - and who have contributed almost no way to create this crisis - should bear the same responsibilities of the United States? Are we really so scared of this challenge by not being able to put us in charge?
Our children have a right to expect more from us, given that their future is at stake - and indeed the future of all human civilization. They deserve much more than a government that censors the best scientific evidence and pursued the men of science who honestly try to warn us of the catastrophe looming over us all. They deserve much better than politicians that if they are idle, without in any way seek to meet the greatest challenge that humankind has ever been faced with, even when the danger threatening moves towards us.
Preferably we should focus instead on the opportunities provided by that challenge, for sure will create new jobs and new profits as corporations are aggressively working to put not afford to miss the huge economic opportunities offered by a clean energy future.
But there is something even more priceless to gain if we do what is right. The climate crisis offers us the opportunity because to experience what few generations in history have had the privilege of experiencing: a generational mission, a compelling moral purpose, a common cause, and the thrill of being forced by circumstances to put aside the pettiness and conflict of politics to embrace genuine spiritual and ethical challenge.
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