G-8 ministers urge youth to work out solutions for climate change

Naha, Japan, June 17 Kyodo - Science and technology ministers, and diplomats from the Group of Eight countries urged young people in Okinawa Prefecture on Monday to work out solutions for climate change and other global issues.

In an event in Naha hosted by the prefectural government, U.S. Consul General
in Okinawa Kevin Maher expressed confidence that younger generations will be
able to find the answers to global challenges.

''I think that the history of mankind really is a question of adapting to
challenges that face us,'' Maher said to a group of more than 250 elementary
and secondary school students in a discussion session with officials of the G-8
countries and their dialogue partners.

''My generation will not find the answer to this question, but your generation
will be the one that has to find the answer to this question,'' the diplomat
said, referring to ways to ensure sustainable growth.

Philippine Secretary of Science and Technology Estrella Alabastro emphasized
the importance of cooperation between nations to find ways to deal with global
warming and other issues affecting the world.

''Climate change is something that, I think, all countries should look at and
should band together to find solutions, because we live in only one world and
we have to make sure that this world is good and kind to us as well as the next
generation,'' Alabastro said.

''I hope you will continue to look at these global issues, and perhaps a few
years from now, who knows, you might find a solution to all these problems,''
she said to the students, many of whom are involved in solar-energy and other
scientific projects at school.

The students mainly asked the officials questions about environmental issues,
such as the most effective methods to cut greenhouse gas emissions and whether
alternative energy sources can actually reduce emissions amid the growth in
global energy consumption.

Fumio Kishida, state minister in charge of science and technology policy, said
he hoped Monday's event would provide an opportunity for young people to think
about what they can do to contribute to solving major global problems.

''The issues of environment and energy are big ones that the people of the
world must cooperate on with each other to solve,'' he said. ''I hope you will
spread your ideas to the world and think about what each of you can do and
which area you want to put your efforts into.''

Kishida, who chaired the G-8's first science and technology ministers' meeting
Sunday in Nago, expressed hope that the ''historic'' ministerial talks and
Monday's event will serve to ''open the door to a bright future'' for young
people.

Sunday's ministerial meeting was attended by representatives from Britain,
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United States and the
European Union under the G-8 framework as well as invitees from seven emerging
economies -- Brazil, China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa and
South Korea.

Ministers from the G-8 and partner countries agreed to work on international
research and development for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the
realization of a low-carbon society as well as to promote science and
technology cooperation with African and other developing countries.==Kyodo