Summit Discusses Climate Change
EU Presses U.S. on climate change legislation.
Compiled by staff
Published: Sep 24, 2009
During the United Nations climate summit several world leaders indicated they will work to revive floundering negotiations on a new international climate pact. But a potential deal may look much different from what its backers envision. Many nations are headed in different directions as they try to make the world a little greener. Climate talks are scheduled for December in Copenhagen.
Any deal made there would be a political deal that would establish global federalism on climate policy, with each nation pledging to take steps domestically. British Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Miliband says negotiators are looking for a solution in which every country is satisfied that every country is taking action on climate change.
During this week's U-N climate summit several countries talked about how they are tracking the problem of climate change. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who organized the session, prodded governments to look beyond their own national interests and make painful compromises to guarantee a climate deal by the end of the year. He stated that climate change is the preeminent geopolitical and economic issue of the 21st century. It will increase pressure on water, food and land, reverse years of development gains and exacerbate poverty, destabilize fragile states and topple governments.
Meanwhile the European Union has expressed frustration with the United States for a lack of progress on climate change legislation. The EU is pressuring Washington to get legislation completed by the United Nations' December summit on global warming. This has brought agreement by U.S. Senators on both sides of the isle, saying they will proceed on their own timetable. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, says this is a serious enough issue that we must take the time to do it right.
Senator Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said, "We're going to do it the way we think it's appropriate to do we will not be driven by their criticisms."
Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., says he is not sure that the Senate is going to be dictated by the timing in December. Nelson added he's not sure people are going to feel comfortable rushing it.
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