Call to invest in renewable energy, particularly solar power: Gorbachev, who chairs an environmental think tank, Green Cross International, called on leaders of the G8 nations to invest in renewable energy sources, in a statement marking the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
4000 deaths caused by Chernobyl: As leader of the Soviet Union in 1986, Gorbachev led the immediate response to the world’s worst nuclear disaster, which led to at least 4000 deaths and sent a radioactive cloud over parts of Europe.
G8 leaders due to meet in Russia in July: The Green Cross proposals were contained in a letter sent to the leaders of the G8 who are due to meet in Russia in July.
Way of helping the energy-impoverished: Gorbachev said the proposals reflected the Green Cross vision of a way of helping the energy-impoverished in the developing world, while creating concentrations of solar energy in cities that could be used to prevent blackouts.
Lower electricity bills: He said solar energy would also lower electricity bills, and would provide a source in the future for generating renewable hydrogen fuels.
Cut subsidies to fossil fuels: "The fund could easily be raised by cutting subsidies for fossil fuels like oil and coal," Gorbachev said.
Reference: Digest of latest news reported on website of Climate Change Secretariat of United Nations Framework on Climate Change Control (UNFCCC). 26 April 2006. Address: PO Box 260 124, D-53153 Bonn. Germany. Phone: : (49-228) 815-1005, Fax: (49-228) 815-1999. Email: press@unfccc.int
http://www.unfccc.int
Erisk Net, 29/4/2006