Friends of the Earth International deplores NSA bugging of climate negotiations
WASHINGTON D.C. – Commenting on the news that the U.S. National Security Agency spied on climate negotiators at the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Summit1, Dipti Bhatnagar, Friends of the Earth International Climate Justice and Energy coordinator said:
"This scandal may be the straw that broke the camel's back. President Obama must put an end to surveillance activities and stop undermining the UN climate negotiations."
"We are very concerned by the revelations that the U.S. spied on climate negotiators from around the world. Bugging climate negotiators breaks the trust which must be at the very heart of UN talks," she said.
"The UN is the only democratic space where all nations can agree a global climate treaty. They must do so in 2015 in order to reduce carbon emissions globally and provide funds for developing countries to deal with the climate crisis in line with what science and justice demand," she added.
Karen Orenstein, from Friends of the Earth U.S., said:
"We deplore — though are not surprised by — the revelations that the NSA spied on climate negotiators at the U.N. Copenhagen Summit. This bad faith practice comes on top of bad policy, as the U.S. systematically poisons crucial climate negotiations, acting in the short term interest of its fossil fuel industry and corporations instead of its people."
Karen Orenstein, Friends of the Earth U.S., (202) 222-0717, [email protected]
Dipti Bhatnagar, Friends of the Earth International, +258 840-356-599, [email protected]
Friends of the Earth International originally posted this statement here.