"Climate Week Kicks off in New York With Bigwigs and Big Hopes"

"2009: The year so many met so often to talk so much about the perilous state of the climate—and as of September, accomplished so little.  Will this week be the charm?

During several different international meetings this year, nations have been getting into position for this December’s international climate treaty talks in Copenhagen.

This week, they’re all gathering again.  On Tuesday, the U.N. is holding a day-long Climate Summit (alongside its annual, two-week General Assembly) in New York City.  And on Thursday and Friday, the Group of 20 (G20) leading world economies is gathering in Pittsburgh, its third meeting of the year to deal with the global economic meltdown.

While climate is not formally on the G20’s agenda, some are hoping that President Obama will come off his speech at the New York event ready to signal to other world leaders that the U.S. will lead on forging a strong replacement to the Kyoto Protocol treaty to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, which expires in 2013.  Its successor is supposed to be largely finalized at December’s global-warming talks."

Emily Gertz reports for Grist September 20, 2009.

See Also:

"Ahead of G20, Climate Change Deadlock Kicks up a Flurry of Proposals" (Christian Science Monitor)

"White House Plays Down Climate Finance Role at G20" (Reuters)

"EU Urges G20 To Hand Billions To Poor Nations for Climate Fight" (AFP)

"Europeans Say U.S. Lacks Will on Climate" (New York Times)

"Meetings Are Global But Action Is Local" (Financial Times)