| African countries generate less than three | | | | Stoltenberg's remarks have particular |
| percent of the world's greenhouse gas | | | | relevance for South Africa, which is one of |
| emissions, which is the type of pollution | | | | the continent's biggest polluters. If power |
| that causes global warming. But Africans are | | | | plants worldwide can clean up their |
| likely to be hardest hit by the effects of | | | | smokestack pollution, more than 25 percent of |
| that pollution. On Friday, officials from | | | | the climate change problem could be solved. |
| Europe and South Africa met to discuss ways | | | | South Africa's Minister of Environment and |
| to ease the impact of climate change on | | | | Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, |
| Africa. For VOA, Terry FitzPatrick reports. | | | | acknowledges his country has a unique set of |
| | | | problems. |
| Africa's economy depends heavily on | | | | |
| agriculture, which makes it especially | | | | "We know as a country that we will have to |
| vulnerable to changes in climate. Experts say | | | | make plans to adapt to the effects of climate |
| the economic burden of global warming can | | | | change. But we also know that we have a role |
| offset the benefits of international aid. | | | | to play with regard to mitigation. Ninety |
| | | | percent of our energy is coal-fired energy in |
| Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg | | | | South Africa. And we know that we cannot |
| says the problems have already begun. | | | | continue in that way." |
| | | | |
| "Africa is already seriously affected by | | | | The United Nations Kyoto Protocol process |
| climate change: flooding, droughts, reduced | | | | aims to make clean technology available for |
| agricultural capacity," said Stoltenberg. "So | | | | developing countries, with wealthier nations |
| climate change is very serious for the whole | | | | paying the cost. The process is also creating |
| world but it's of particular concern for | | | | a fund to help Africa prepare for the impact |
| Africa." | | | | of changing climate. |
| | | | |
| Stoltenberg was speaking at a roundtable | | | | But Van Schalkwyk is worried what will happen |
| conference sponsored by the South African | | | | in 2012 when the current Kyoto commitments |
| National Biodiversity Institute. He says | | | | run out. He says the recent climate talks in |
| wealthy nations created the world's climate | | | | Bali brought the United States closer to |
| problem, but African countries will have to | | | | consensus with other nations. But he says |
| help in cutting greenhouse gas pollution. | | | | there is more work to be done. |
| | | | |
| "It is the rich world that has been the main | | | | "The step that the United States took in Bali |
| polluters during many years," said | | | | was a first step, but it was basically an |
| Stoltenberg. "But at the same time it is | | | | infant step," said Van Schalkwyk. "So I don't |
| impossible to have big enough reductions | | | | think it's any secret to say that we will |
| without also including the developing world." | | | | continue to put pressure on the United |
| | | | States. |