THE U.S. ROLE IN WORLD CLIMATE TALKS

Clean-Energy Investment Is Placed at Risk as UN Climate Negotiations Stall
Jim Efstathiou Jr., April 7, 2011 (Bloomberg News)

"Clean energy investment that totaled $243 billion last year is at risk of slowing as talks on curbing greenhouse gas emissions bog down…Kandeh Yumkella, director general of the UN Industrial Development Organization, said $40 billion a year is needed through 2030 to bring basic energy to 3 billion people, and part of those funds are linked to the outcome of 192-nation negotiations on global warming that hit a roadblock in Bangkok this week.

"The talks are aiming to unlock $100 billion a year in aid for developing nations to cope with rising sea levels and more volatile weather, which scientists say are caused by damage to the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels…

"In the strongest criticism yet of the UN talks, Todd Stern, the lead U.S. climate negotiator, said...a binding treaty is ‘unnecessary’ and may not be ‘doable.’ His remarks limit the chances of a breakthrough this year and underscore the rift between rich nations and developing ones including China, India and Brazil…"

We’re Doing It To Ourselves

From UNSW via YouTube

"…At the UN talks in Cancun four months ago, countries agreed to put forward national emissions commitments, share technology for clean energy systems and establish a climate fund to help poorer nations adapt to rising sea levels and more intense storms. This week in Bangkok, envoys argued about the agenda for this year’s round of meetings that will culminate in December in Durban, South Africa…

"With President Barack Obama facing re-election next year and some of his Republican opponents questioning the science underpinning the climate talks, the government hasn’t yet shown willingness to set binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Stern said…a treaty was always out of reach…Stern suggested the U.S. may circumvent the UN process saying it’s “not the sole platform” for climate protection, a potential blow to sustainable-energy funding…

"Investment in clean energy, including wind, solar and biofuels, totaled $243 billion last year...[which is] a fraction of the [estimated $500 billion a year] needed…[but] investment [is expected] to increase gradually as the cost of manufacturing wind turbines and solar cells drops…"