The Group 8 (G8) summit in Japan has appeared to be a green showcase – from hydrogen fuelled cars to water-saving toilets it seems every eco-friendly idea has been on display. However, some environmental activists have suggested life there is not as green as it seems.
For example, the media centre and the summit site are around 14km apart creating the need for otherwise unnecessary road travel – though green vehicles including green shuttles were made available. Inside, photocopied handouts were passed out and food arrived in neatly wrapped plastic containers.
Daniel Mittler, political adviser to Greenpeace International, told the Associated Press: “I think (the summit) is a typical example of how environmental protection is still seen as something that you actively do.
“You create a nice pavilion that is energy efficient. You showcase a car that’s better than other cars. But it’s not your normal reality. As soon as your normal reality creeps in, you go back to the bad old ways.”
Nevertheless, the targets that have emerged from the G8 summit could make the environmental expense worthwhile with world leaders pledging to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, although some environmentalists believe this is still insufficient.
Green cars are likely to play a central role in environmental efforts with Japanese manufacturers taking Press members for a spin in the latest models such as the hydrogen powered Mazda RX8.
What is your verdict on the G8 summit? Let us know your thoughts here or at the globalwarmingforum.co.uk.
