UK’s Johnson gives G-20 stark warning on climate change

By JILL LAWLESS
Associated Press

ROME (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has arrived in Italy for a Group of 20 meeting with a stark warning. He says civilization could soon lie in ruins like ancient Rome if world leaders don’t act to curb climate change. Johnson wants to extract cash and carbon-cutting commitments from the G-20 ahead pf a major climate conference in Scotland that begins Sunday. But he faces big obstacles. Major polluters, including Russia and Australia, have failed to improve on the carbon-cutting pledges. Neither Chinese President Xi Jinping nor Russian President Vladimir Putin, plan to attend in person. Johnson makes a more credible green messenger than some rich nations’ leaders. The U.K. has promised to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and has published a detailed plan for getting there.