Durban Diary

"Ahead Of Climate Talks, U.S. Leadership In Question"

"A new round of United Nations climate talks is getting under way in Durban, South Africa, Monday. And domestic struggles here in the United States are hampering the global talks."

"Rich Nations Accused of Climate-Change 'Bullying'"

"Britain and other rich countries are using aid money as a lever to bully developing countries over climate change, according to a new report by an anti-poverty pressure group."

"Climate Change Denial Still Runs Strong In US"

"On the US political stage, skepticism and denial of climate change are as popular as ever, and experts say that world talks which opened Monday in Durban, South Africa are unlikely to turn the tide."

"Killer Floods Strike Durban At Start Of Climate Talks"

"Highlighting the threat of global warming pollution, killer floods have struck Durban, South Africa, as international climate talks begin there. Ten people along South Africa’s east coast were killed, 700 houses destroyed, and thousands left homeless following torrential rains on Sunday." Brad Johnson reports for Think Progress Green November 28, 2011.

"Climate Treaty Would Actually Be Good for Business"

Climate change has increasingly been linked to hurricanes, floods, and other extreme weather. This year so far, the U.S. has seen 14 weather-related disasters that caused more than $1 billion damage each. Business pays a huge price -- measured in hundreds of billions a year in the U.S. alone -- for weather variations. There is a lot of reason to think U.S. businesspeople would see better profits if climate change were mitigated. Erica Gies reports for Forbes November 28, 2011.

Nov. 28 AM Roundup

"As Climate Talks Start, Local Strategies Replace Kyoto Global Pact" (Washington Post)

"Last Chance To Save Kyoto Deal at Climate Talks" (Reuters)

"Another Try for a Global Climate Effort" (New York Times)

"Global Climate Talks Wait for Zuma, Start Late" (Reuters)

"China Says "Not Optimistic" About Climate Talks" (Reuters)

"China: 'Extend Kyoto Protocol'" (China Daily)

"China, India Hold Up Agreement To Curb HFCs" (Washington Post)

"Small Coffee Farmers Hoping for a Wake-Up Call at Climate Talks"
(Irish Times)

"Deadlock Looms Over CO2 Cuts as Durban Summit Begins" (Independent)

"Pope Calls for Responsible, Credible Climate Deal That Takes Into
Account World’S Poorest" (AP)

"Durban Climate Conference -- Crunch Time On Climate Change"
(Huffington Post/WWF)

"UK Calls for New Legal Climate Deal By 2015" (BBC News)

"Rich Nations Accused of Climate-Change 'Bullying'" (Independent)

"UN Climate Official Hopes Conference Will Take Long-Delayed Decision
on Cutting Pollution" (AP)

"Climate Change Hits Africa's Poorest Farmers" (AP)

"China Records Biggest Reduction in Emissions" (Xinhua)

"Agriculture Orgs Up Pressure Ahead of Durban Climate Talks" (Wall St.
Journal)

"Durban Climate Talks: There Is a Feasible Plan B To Combat Climate
Change" (Guardian)

"UN Climate Conference Opens in South Africa" (Voice of America)

"Q&A: Durban COP17 Climate Talks" (Guardian)

"A Week From Durban Talks, Wide Differences Remain Among Nations"

"The United States is resisting calls from Europe and others to begin discussing a legally binding climate change treaty that could take effect by 2020, diplomats said this week."

"Beware Climate Change Risk From Aircon, Fridge Gases: U.N."

"Soaring use of man-made gases used in refrigerators, airconditioners and fire extinguishers risks speeding up global warming and industry should adopt alternatives, a U.N. report said on Monday."

"Record High Greenhouse Gases To Linger For Decades"

"Concentrations of the three main greenhouse gases blamed for global warming reached record levels in 2010 and will linger in the atmosphere for decades, even if the world stops emissions output today, the U.N.'s weather agency said on Monday."

"Africa Leads Climate Push As Its People Go Hungry"

"Africa is leading the push for clean energy policy-making as climate change turns millions of its people into 'food refugees,' the head of the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) Achim Steiner said."