Posted on 12/15/2009 2:16:01 PM PST by NormsRevenge
COPENHAGEN (AFP) – UN chief Ban Ki-moon said world leaders faced a "defining moment in history" as they balanced their nation's interests with a global clamour to halt the juggernaut of climate change.
With just over three days left to broker one of the most ambitious, yet also fiendishly complex, deals in human history, conference chair Denmark appealed for all sides to embrace the spirit of compromise.
But China and the United States -- the world's two biggest carbon polluters -- brushed aside European calls for concessions on emissions reductions, the thorniest issue of all.
Related article: UN system to cut its carbon footprint
The summit aims at sealing national pledges to curb the heat-trapping carbon gases wreaking havoc with Earth's climate system, and set up a mechanism to provide billions of dollars for poor countries facing worsening drought, flood, storms and rising seas.
Crowned on Friday by a meeting of some 120 heads of state and government, the outline political deal would be fleshed out next year in further talks, culminating in a treaty that would take effect from 2013.
But former US vice president and environmental activist Al Gore, voicing widely held fears that Copenhagen might yield only a partial success, called for world leaders to meet in Mexico City in July to complete the process.
Ban, speaking at the formal start of the full ministerial session known as the high level segment, spoke of a "defining moment in history".
"We know what we must do. We know what the world expects. Our job here and now is to seal the deal, a deal in our common interest."
Talks were moving too slowly, he warned.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon gives a press conference at the Bella center of Copenhagen on the 9th day of the COP15 UN Climate Change Conference. Ban said world leaders faced a "defining moment in history" as they balanced their nation's interests with a global clamour to halt the juggernaut of climate change. (AFP/Olivier Morin)
Biblical levels of arrogance and pretentiousness.
or has the summit lost the ‘Loving Feeling’ ?
http://www.truveo.com/rightous-brothers-you%E2%80%99ve-lost-that-loving/id/36028839289525098
Ban Ki-moon is quite a loon
Thank Gaia the conference will be over soon
When the Kenyan arrives and the crowds swoon
Kiss his ass, Ban Ki-moon
I’m not nearly as concerned about the worlds eyes as I am about it’s sticky mitts.
Their hubris makes my stomach turn.
follow the money
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