July 9

President Obama and the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom pledged July 8 during the G8 meeting in Italy to confront climate change and to seek an ambitious global agreement in Copenhagen in December.

The G8 leaders failed to reach agreement on all aspects of a far reaching proposal for tackling climate change, but they were able to agree on certain long-term goals. The G8 leaders recognized the scientific view that global average temperatures should not rise more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrialized levels to prevent the worst effects of global climate change.

They also agreed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2050, with developed countries achieving an aggregate 80% or more reduction by that date.

However, the G8 leaders failed to agree to shorter-term greenhouse gas reduction goals, disappointing some environmental advocates.

"Leadership is about tackling difficult issues head on, not leaving them for future generations to deal with," said Damon Moglen, a Greenpeace USA spokesman.

The best available science indicates the developed world must cut greenhouse gas emissions 25- 40% from 1990 levels by 2020 to avoid the worst impact of global warming, Moglen said. He criticized the G8 leaders for agreeing only to 2050 targets, which he said would take effect long after the current leaders are out of office and severe climate impacts have begun.

The Obama administration expressed hope that progress could be made before world leaders gather in Copenhagen in December to negotiate a new climate change treaty.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at 330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com

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