Chinese see climate draft a growth threat

 

BANGKOK, May 1, 2007 -- UPI

 

A U.N. draft proposed in Thailand reportedly says global climate can still be stabilized if nations act now but that China sees it as a threat to its growth.

The world body's draft, seen by the BBC, is designed to find ways to control rising levels of greenhouse gases. It is being discussed behind closed doors by delegates from 120 countries attending the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Bangkok.

The draft, a follow-up to earlier warnings that the Earth has already warmed considerably, says the climate can be stabilized at a reasonable cost with immediate actions such as capturing and burying emissions from coal-fired power plants, shifting to renewable forms of energy and more use of nuclear power, the BBC said.

The earlier warnings had noted that without immediate action there would be severe consequences, including droughts, floods, storms, heat waves and rising seas.

The BBC report said China's objections stem from concerns that this year it is predicted to become the world's biggest polluter. If the draft becomes final, the report said, it will increase pressure on China to take steps so drastic as to seriously jeopardize its economic growth.

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