World climate talks heat up |
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/08/07/14955181.html
Environmental activists say climate talks in Bonn, Germany are not going well as the world prepares for it’s next big shot at a global climate deal.
Climate negotiators are in Bonn to prepare for massive treaty negotiations that will take place in sunny Cancun, Mexico in November and December.
While Canada says it will work towards a binding international treaty in Cancun, others are less hopeful.
"The mitigation discussion even went backwards and became more polarized," said Gordon Shepherd at enviro-lobby group World Wildlife Fund.
Negotiators hope to convince wealthy countries to not only cut their own emissions but send billions of dollars and technology to developing countries to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“We are being very responsible,” Environment Minister Jim Prentice told QMI Agency from Calgary on Saturday. “Canada is only responsible for 2% of the world’s carbon emissions but we are providing 4% of the funding.”
At Copenhagen last year, leaders from developed countries agreed to provide billions in climate financing, including a $30 billion fast track fund.
Activists called that funding inadequate and hope to achieve in Cancun what they could not achieve in Copenhagen. Green guru Tim Flannery, an Australian global warming activist, has called for an agreement that will change “every aspect of our life, our economy, our society.”
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