By NNN-PTI,
Washington : Talking tough on the climate change issue, Former US President Bill Clinton has said countries like India and China can “burn up” the planet, if they do not limit green house emissions.
“… If India and China and the other emerging economies don’t join in some sort of limitation, then they can burn up the planet,” Clinton said in an interview to ABC News.
“This year, China surpassed the United States as the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gas. They’re coming up with a new coal-fired power plant every 10 days or so. They don’t want to make a commitment. The developing countries believe that western powers will keep them in second-class economic status while they trying to manage their own growth. The Indians feel the same way,” he added.
“But I think eventually they are all going to join hands in fighting the cause. I think what they’re looking for us to do is to prove that there’s an economical way to do this,” the former President noted.
Complimenting presumptive Republican candidate Senator John McCain for moving his party on the issue, Clinton said the subject of climate change is going to be very important for the next American President.
“… I do think it’s fair to say that, among all the Republicans, Senator McCain had the best position on climate change. I agree that Senator Obama and the Democrats have a better position, but I think McCain deserves credit for moving his party,” Clinton said.