There is talk that Kevin Rudd’s success in the Australian general election was due more to various postings on YouTube than to his commitment to new and better leadership.
But no matter. He has, within hours of becoming Prime Minister, taken the first steps towards signing the Kyoto climate change treaty and, according to the Guardian, consulted Gordon Brown and others on additional measures necessary to curb the damage of greenhouse gas emissions.
Let us hope that not only will Mr Brown encourage his new counterpart to introduce legislation to cut emissions but that Mr Rudd’s enthusiasm for taking on climate change is as infectious in return.
The UK government has committed the country to cutting emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 but it is dawning on Mr Brown that 60 per cent may not be enough. This is where the youthful energy of Mr Rudd may help.
Scientists warn that only an 80 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions worldwide will be enough to limit temperature rise this century to 2C.
Perhaps Mr Rudd is considering this in his early prime ministerial musings. Lobbyists including the RSPB will be stressing how necessary the 80 per cut is at next month’s climate change summit in Bali. UK Environment Minister Hilary Benn will be there and Mr Rudd has promised to attend too. Perhaps he can persuade Mr Brown to join him.
Two of the world’s leading nations, the UK and Australia, could set a tremendous example to the rest of the world by committing to cutting greenhouse gases by 80 per cent. Even more pressure would be put on George Bush to accept just how serious climate change is becoming.
If Mr Rudd can achieve the first part of this, he will have done exceptionally well. The second may be beyond his reach but who knows, another YouTube video might just do it.
For the Guardian's report, click here