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BANGKOK－The tiny island nation of Tuvalu has promised to do its part for climate change by fueling its economy entirely from renewable sources by 2020．
The South Pacific nation of 12,000 people is part of a movement of countrie s and cities committed to going climate neutral．Since February 2008, 10 nations have promised to reduce their emission(释放)of greenhouse gases as part of a goal of reaching zero emissions in the next decade．
None of these commitments alone is expected to make a significant difference in the fight to cut heat-trapping gases．But the moves can inspire bigger emitters(排放者)like the United States to take further steps to limit their carbon footprints．
Climate scientists have urged rich countries to reduce emissions from 2005 levels by between 25 percent and 40 percent by 2020 to avoid the worst effect of warming．For its parts, Tuvalu hopes to replace the fossil fuels that are imported by ship with solar energy and wind power soon．
Tuvalu already emits almost no greenhouse gases．But because of climate change, many South Pacific islands see worsening flooding．The country is just 10 square miles in size, with most of its land less than a meter above sea level．
So far, Tuvalu has installed(安装)a 40-kiliowatt solar energy system with the help of Japan’s Kansai Electric Power Co．and Tokyo Electric Power Company．The Tuvalu government is working to expand the ＄410,000 project from 40 to 60 kilowatts, and will extend solar power to outer islands．
“We thank those countries who are helping Tuvalu reduce its carbon footprint,” Public Utilities and Industries Minister Kausea Natano said．“And we look forward to the day when our nation offers an example to all--- powered entirely by natural resources such as the sun and the wind．”
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