New York City (AsiaNews) - An increase in forest cover; an
expansion of renewable energy sourced for the national grid; restoration of estuaries,
lagoons, mangroves and marshes to protect the coast. These are just some of the
strategies Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse pledged to put in place in
the country - known as Mahinda Chintana - in an address to the UN
Summit on Climate Change.
Speaking yesterday, the head of state stressed that "the danger posed by
climate change is a current emergency, and must be addressed collectively and multi
dimensionally. The Clean Development Mechanism to reduce carbon
emissions is imperative." In this regard, he stated, "developed
countries should increase their efforts to provide financial and technological
development to less developed countries."
"According to the disciples of the Buddha - said Rajapaksa, who is
Buddhist - the land and its vegetation does not belong to those who live here.
We are only temporary custodians and have to protect the environment for future
generations".